AN Andover couple who became engaged at the stroke of midnight on 31 December 1944 are now celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

Syd and Betty Goodwin, of Eardley Avenue, met at a dance in Edinburgh.

The couple were engaged for just six week's when Syd telephoned Betty to say they were getting married in four days because he was being sent to Germany.

They got married at St Stephen's Parish Church in Edinburgh on 10 February 1945.

The couple moved to Andover 50 years ago so they could be closer to Syd's father.

Syd and Betty have one daughter and two sons, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

After 13 years of night shifts at Kelly's Printing in Andover Syd decided he'd had enough and wanted a change. For ten years the couple ran the British Oak pub in Smannell.

Betty, aged 78 said: "Running a pub was good and the social life was good but very hard work."

For the full story see Friday's Andover Advertiser.