IT was a first date that could not be refused - tickets to the 1948 Olympic Games.

And Hazel Broadbridge, 85 was glad she went along, because 60 years later she is about to celebrate her diamond wedding anniversary with Reginald, 87, who presented her with the tickets all those years ago.

The couple from Chipping Ongar met at a dance in Leyton town hall.

Mr Broadbridge said: "I was wearing a new suit and I think that was what did it for her. I had on a lovely suit. I was in the air force and they gave it to me and it obviously worked.

"We went to the Olympic Games for a date, how I got the tickets I don't know, but it was the last time the Olympics were held in this country. Then we went on various dates and we have been going on various dates ever since!"

Soon after, they married at a church in Leyton, celebrating with close friends and family, before starting a family of their own.

Mrs Broadbridge said: "We have two smashing boys and we all had some lovely holidays together. We moved to Abridge from Walthamstow where we lived next door to a West Ham footballer, which our sons were very happy about."

Not everything has been easy for the pair, who were both struck by cancer in their retirement.

But they said it is the good and the bad times which have kept them together.

"I think we have always had a laugh together," said Mrs Broadbridge, "and we are still laughing now. We were very much in love when we met and we are still very much in love.

"We have had our troubles but we have survived them. And that is why we are still together."