One very happy couple have proved that love can last a lifetime, celebrating 60 years of living happily ever after.

John and Muriel Williams are set to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary on March 26, after marrying at St Peter’s Church, Kells, in 1960.

Despite both living on High Road, Kells, going to the same school and even having the same surname, John, 83, and Muriel, 78, only met at a dance once John had returned from his National Service in Singapore with the RAF.

It was love at first sight, and the pair married just six months later, with Best Man Jack Crosby and Matron of Honour Florence McCourt by their sides, and a reception at the Oakleigh Hotel.

After having their first children, Julie and Christine, the Whitehaven sweethearts hopped onboard the Canberra and headed to Whyalla, South Australia, where they had another two children, Alan and Simon – where John almost missed his first son's birth.

"Dad was the first father at the Whyalla hospital to attend a birth," Alan explained.

"That was the common practice in England, but dads didn’t do that in Oz until my dad insisted – I’m quite proud of that."

But the couple didn't stop making an impression there, and gained a reputation as the best builders in town with their business J&M Williams.

Although they settled across the world with their children and six grandchildren, they "still love Mother England", and regularly visited their beloved Cumbrian fells.

Alan added: "We're all very proud of them. I’m not exactly sure what the key has been to their long partnership – I assume us kids kept them together, and being so far from home where they relied on each other.

"They both have a great sense of humour as well. Dad often refers to Mum as “My English Rose”, which I think is quite lovely."

John and Muriel will celebrate their impressive love story with a special family meal on March 29.