A couple who met and fell in love when they were only 15 have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Brian and Polly Whalin, reached 60 years of marriage earlier this month and marked it in style when they enjoyed a meal with 30 members of their family.

The couple, who have lived in Strood all their lives, have six children, 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.

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Their children, Andrew, Gary, Clive, Kerry, Hayley and Clare, arranged for them to be picked up in a limousine for the meal and whisked off to Simply Italian restaurant in Rochester.

The couple met when Brian was an Army cadet and on his way to the Cadets’ base in Darnley Road, Strood.

They courted for a few years and then married at Chatham Register Office on May, 4 1957. In total, they have been together for 63 years.

During the early years of their marriage they lived with parents in Carnation Road before moving to Curlew Crescent, where they have lived ever since.

Mr Whalin, now 77, was in the Army for a year before becoming a builder.

As well as bringing up their children, Mrs Whalin, who is well-known in the area for making delicious gypsy tarts, worked as a carer in homes in Strood and Rochester.

The couple said their children and grandchildren keep them young. They are also still enjoy caravan holidays.

Brian, who loves fishing and going to the movies, said: “We are never alone – the more people in our house the better. This is an open house and they [the family] all come here to see us.”

Mrs Whalin, 78, said: “It was great to get a card from the Queen. Our postman delivered it is was in a blue envelope and I had to sign for it.

“It made my day.”

VIDEO: Brian and Polly talking about their happy marriage

The couple say the key to their happy long-lasting marriage is not to argue and to communicate with each other. They also both enjoy their own hobbies.

Mrs Whalin added: “I like going to bingo and he likes going to the cinema, it works and we
are looking forward to many more anniversaries.”