A WORCESTER cocktail bar proved the tonic for a long and happy union for one pair of sweethearts.

Sixty years on, Pauline and Clem Longden are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary after that evening in the bar at The Star Hotel, Foregate Street.

"I was out with my mother," said Mrs Longden. "We started to talk and that was that. We were married within six months but you did in those days."

The couple, who live in Beaconhill Drive, St John's, were married 60 years ago today in Worcester Cathedral.

"It was my mother's idea to get married there," said Mrs Longden. "I had to leave my suitcase at College House to show that I was supposed to be resident there.

"I was a bit nervous but it was very nice.

"Because it was wartime, we could only have so many guests at the reception, and there were several disappointed people."

The couple had the reception at The Packhorse in St Nicholas Street, Worcester, before honeymooning in Bournemouth.

"You couldn't go on the beach though, because it was mined," said Mrs Longden, who is now 80.

Mr Longden was out with his RAF colleagues when he met his future wife.

He was stationed at RAF Throckmorton as an instructor and soon after they were married they moved to Lincolnshire where he took part in 52 bombing operations.

It was the first of several moves before they returned to Worcester for their retirement.

"Moving makes things a bit more interesting," said Mr Longden, 82.

"During the war years you had no option."

The couple became parents to four children - David, Carole, Richard and Helen - and are due to celebrate their milestone with friends and family today.

They say the secret to a long marriage is to sort out any problems.

"You've got to work together with a certain amount of give and take," said Mr Longden.

"You've got to face up to any adversities."

"This is the calmest part of our marriage," said Mrs Longden.

"When you're married there's always something."