Plenty of arguing is the secret to a long and happy marriage, according to a couple who met in a stationery shop.

Reg Mason, now 83, was serving in the RAF and posted at North Weald Airfield when he and his wife of 60 years Margaret, now 77, met at Ben Hydes shop and printers’ in Epping High Street in October 1952.

Mrs Mason, whose maiden name was Robertson, said: “He used to come in for paper and pens and then in again for more paper and pens, then he was standing there when the shop closed.

“We used to go dancing at North Weald public hall and to the cinema in Epping.”

Mr Mason, who is originally from south Wales, proposed after he had been posted to Canvey Island to help during the floods there the following March.

He said: “We had to help put out sandbags and help people caught in the flooding.

“I think it was three or four days before we finished and I came back and proposed on the 12th.”

After Mrs Mason’s family moved from the cadet hall in Hemnall Street, where her father trained army cadets, to Beaconfield Road, the newly married couple lived with them.

They settled in Coronation Hill, where they have lived for about 45 years.

Mrs Mason worked at several shops in Epping town centre, including Cullens greengrocer and Tesco, while Mr Mason worked at British Matthews and Ovenden Papers, while it was based in Epping.

Mr Mason said: “The secret is lots of arguments – it keeps you going. But we do get on fine together.”

The couple have two children, Stephen and Cheryl, five grandchildren and a new great-granddaughter.

They plan to take a boat trip on the Thames with their family to celebrate their anniversary.