POSTMAN Ivan Fursey won the stamp of approval from a young counter clerk at Dorchester Post Office - and today they celebrate their diamond wedding.

Mildred Fursey, 82, says she noticed young Ivan as he went off to deliver the post - and the then Miss Hodder caught his eye as she worked at the counter.

Before long they were married at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester, with the bride in a traditional white wedding gown, thanks to friends and family who saved their coupons in those days of postwar rationing.

Mr Fursey, 83, worked as a postman for more than 40 years. He said he got to know just about every street in the town - though he would not be so familiar with all the new developments as he retired 23 years ago.

Mrs Fursey gave up work while the couple's three daughters were small, but she returned to post office work, notching up 24 years at the Monmouth Road Post Office in the town.

She said: "We missed it when we retired because we enjoyed the company and my husband still starts the day early.

"But we're so busy I don't know how we managed to fit in work as well."

Mrs Fursey said their life revolves around their family. All three daughters live in Dorchester not far from their home at Palace Court in Durngate Street, where they have lived for 14 years. Before that they lived at Cromwell Road for 43 years.

The couple also see a lot of their four grandchildren and their baby greatgrandson, Maxwell.

Mrs Fursey said: "We don't have a secret for having a long and happy marriage - we just keep going and make life the best we can."

Mr Fursey, who joined the Royal Navy during the war and served in the Far East, raised a cheer for the NHS.

He said: "That's what keeps me going - all the pills and potions."