Never being afraid to say “I love you” is the secret to a long marriage, according to a couple who have just celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Denis, 85, and Violet Mallett, 83, known as Vi, can't remember which Morden church they married at on July 28, 1951.

But if after 60 years the pensioners are a little fuzzy on the wedding venue they are much clearer about the drama that led to the union.

Machinist Vi “cried and cried” when quality controller Dennis who she “fancied like mad” left the now defunct Venners Time Switches, in New Malden, for another job.

But just a few days later she got the “best surprise ever” when the romantic World War Two veteran showed up at Streatham Ice Rink to ask her out.

Vi said: “Every time he worked passed me at work he used to call me ‘toots’ which used to make me laugh.

“I fancied him like mad and I remember thinking one day I’m going to grab him and never let go.

“I cried and cried when thought I would never see him again but then he turned up at the ice rink.”

Dennis managed to pluck up the courage to ask for a date on the bus journey home, just 18 months later they were married.

“She told me before I left that she would be going to the ice rink and so had to go and meet her.

“I knew if I didn’t ask her then I never would so I just went for it.

“I am very glad I did.”

After living in Worcester Park and Walton on Thames for a short time the couple saved to buy their own place, initially in Surbition and then the home they still share today in Hook Rise South, Tolworth.

Unable to have children themselves the kind hearted couple decided to adopt, first a daughter, Sue, who now lives just up the road and often pops in with the great grand children, then son Paul, now living in Spain.

After Dennis retired from Kingston based High Speed Service Tools in the mid 1990s, the couple travelled all over the globe including trips to China, Russia and Bulgaria.

Not able to leave the house much these days they like watching television soaps like Coronation Street and listening to classical music on the radio.

Dennis admits they occasionally have had their ups and downs, but added: “Just remember not be afraid to say you I love you or just give up as soon as you have an argument.

“It has to be give and take. If you remember that you will be fine.”