A COUPLE who met at a London tube station in the 1950s have celebrated their diamond wedding in Kendal.

John Wright said he began 'chatting up' teenager Maureen while she was waiting for a train at Wood Green station in 1957.

Less than two years later - on February 7, 1959 - they were married at St James's Church, Clerkenwell, London.

As children growing up in the Second World War, John and Maureen were both evacuated from the capital to avoid enemy bombs. John recalls he was sent to Scarborough but it was an 'unhappy' experience. Maureen, on the other hand, was evacuated to Wells in Somerset where she had a much happier time.

John, now 83, worked for Picture Post in Fleet Street and then in various advertising agencies until he retired in 2000.

Maureen, 80, worked for the William Brandt Bank in London until 1961, after which she became 'a housewife with children'.

The couple, who live at Lound Place, Kendal, list travelling to see their daughters who live in Vancouver and Spain among their greatest pleasures.

John also enjoys writing, photography and supporting Chelsea FC, while Maureen says her main interests are 'cooking and family'.

Asked what their recipe is for a long and happy marriage, both said they loved 'driving each other mad'.

They have two daughters, Jennifer, 56, and Gillian, 50, and three grandsons - Samuel, 28, Evan 20, and Gareth, 17.

They celebrated their 60 years of married life with a family party on Saturday.