PHILIP and Maureen Hawker, from Weymouth, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary this week.

The couple met at the Ritz Ballroom in 1952 when Philip was a merchant seaman working for Channel Island Ferries and Maureen worked for Castle and Co Wine Merchants.

They married at Holy Trinity Church and lived in Chapelhay, where they had two children, Keith and Fay.

Philip stayed in the Merchant navy for many years and worked in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and on Cunard before returning to work on the ferries.

They are proud grandparents of Ben, Tomas, Molly and Felicity and great grandparents to two-year-old Freddie. The pair celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends.