SIXTY years have failed to dull the happiness of a couple who marked their diamond wedding anniversary with over 100 friends and family.

Doris and Eric Doubleday have lived in the same house, in London Road, Abridge, for 53 years ever since they moved from Leytonstone.

They saw in their 60th wedding anniversary with a party at Abridge Village Hall before going for a family meal at the Bull pub down the road.

After being introduced by mutual friends, Doris, 79, and Eric, 81, married young in 1949 when they were 19 and 21.

Eric said: “Bill and Eileen live up the road, and it's been their 60th recently. Doris and Eileen have been friends for 70 odd years. They'd been going out together and Bill asked me if I wanted to make a foursome up and it stuck. This must've have been about 1945.

“It's never really changed. We've had children here, and they live local. We've made quite a lot of good friends here. We're very happy.”

The couple are now both retired. Eric made his trade as a saw doctor while Doris worked at the Bank of England, in Loughton.

They have three children: Nigel, Gillian, and Jennifer, and seven grandchildren.

Eric said he put their long marriage down to perseverance adding: “You take each other's point of view if you can, and if you do have a little argument don't leave it too long before you make up.”

Doris said: “It's been a long time 60 years, but we've got through it. We play bowls, go dancing, we keep very busy. Everything we've done has been together.”