A couple who are partners in life and business have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Lily, 79 and Alf Smallcorn 81 of Whitchomb Close, Lorsdwood celebrated their 60 years together on Friday, September 7.

They celebrated in with a family party at The Howard Hall, in Woodside Road, Wigmore.

Their love story began with a chance meeting, in the Gamont Cinema, Peckham.

15-year-old Lily dated Alf's friend before deciding her now-husband was the one.

Two years Alf left to serve two-years national service in the army.

Mrs Smallcorn said: "We broke up and I went off with an older chap for a year.

"Then my mum told me she saw Alf on Peckham High Street and we got married 6 months afterwards."

The pair, aged 19 and 21 were married in St Andrew's Church Peckham, which is now demolished.

Mrs Smallcorn said: "I wore my sisters wedding dress but added a bow to make it look different.

"Don't ask about the honeymoon, we went to Southend for half a day with Alf's mum and sister."

"We'd got a flat so we stayed in to do the house up instead. "

In 1962 they moved to Whitchomb Close.

Despite doctors saying children would not be possible they had Debbie, 56, of Farley Close, who works across Medway as a midwife and Steven, 49, Aintree Close.

Mr and Mrs Smallcorn tribute their long marriage to their shared business venture, A+B Engineering Limited, Redwall lane Linton, Maidstone.

The 45-year-old business creates audio equipment, parts of planes and components for the military,

Alf said: "The only arguments we ever have is about the business."

Their favourite memory together was a tour of Australia, New Zealand and Singapore in 2008.

As for the secret to their happily every after Lily said:"Work keeps our lives interesting we always have something to talk about.

"Don't be petty, you've got to work as a team."

Alf added:"You've got to take them warts and all, nobody is perfect, we've all got faults and you just have to deal with that.