FROM across the floor at the Beaulieu Dance Hall, now the Carlton Hotel, Len Hudson knew he wanted to meet Joyce Montgomery.

More than 60 years later, the couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Mr Hudson spent two years courting his future wife.

‘We did all sorts of things like dancing, walking and riding on my motorbike,’ said Mr Hudson, 85.

When he finally plucked up the courage to ask Joyce to marry him, she kept him waiting.

‘I had to wait more than three weeks before she agreed.’

After weeks saving up their clothing coupons, the couple got married at the Town Church on 4 August 1949.

Mr Hudson saw his wife’s dress for the first time as she walked through the church door.

‘She looked amazing,’ he said. ‘There was still rationing, so the undergarments were made of parachute silk.’

Following the wedding, the couple immediately moved into a small house in Les Baissieres.

Mr Hudson, who worked as a builder, did up their new home.

Then along came daughter Bronya, followed a few years later by Deidre.

The family moved to La Vrangue and then Mr Hudson built a family home next to Northfield, where he still lives today. The couple have five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr Hudson said the secret to a good marriage was compromise.

‘It is all about give and take,’ he said. ‘Also, you should never go to bed on a fight without a cuddle.’

Mrs Hudson, 82, has had dementia for eight years, but her husband tries to visit her every day.

‘She still knows me,’ he said. ‘She once asked me if I was married. When I said I was married to her, she said “oh good”.’

The couple celebrated the anniversary at the Browhill Nursing Home with family.

Mr Hudson gave his wife red and white carnations, just like on their wedding day.