A devoted Bromsgrove couple proved diamonds are forever when they celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Dennis and Hilda Hartin, of Shenstone Court, were joined by close family members to toast the occasion at Brewster's restaurant, in Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove last Saturday.

It was love at first sight for the happy couple who met during a blackout in Yeovil, Somerset, during World War II in 1942.

Hilda was working at a nearby hospital, while Dennis, now 84, was in the Royal Artillery.

But the war failed to keep the pair apart and they married at a church in Somerset 18 months later in April 1943.

It was Dennis' family roots that brought the Hartins to Bromsgrove and the pair spent the first 50 years of their married life in Fairfield.

Hilda said: "When we first moved into the area Dennis worked for the Midlands Electricity Board in Bromsgrove, while I brought up our children, William and Barry.

"We now have four grandchildren, two great-granddaughters and a great-grandson," Hilda added.

The sprightly 81-year-old said they had both shared a happy marriage and the secret of their success was a little give and take.