A couple who met at a Richmond dancehall in the 1960s have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Barrie, 73, and Mary Kenning, 72, met in the spring of 1963 at what was then The Castle Hotel.

The hall, which is now Pay Pal offices, was separated into two areas- visitors would turn left for ballroom and right for jiving.

The couple, who now live in Hounslow, celebrated the golden milestone on September 16 on the top floor at Revolution, just behind the site where their eyes first met.

Surrey Comet: The Castle Hotel

About 100 friends and family attended to celebrate the joyous occasion, along with their three grandchildren.

Mary said: “It was amazing- really great. Everything went so well and it was lovely to see all my family and friends all together.”

Barrie, originally from Worcester Park, explained it was “well organised” and months in the making.

Surrey Comet: Barrie and Mary celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary 

As chance would have it neither had been to The Castle before that night. Barrie asked Mary for a dance and the rest is history.

Mary said: “We just started dancing and that was it.

“We spoke about the latest songs and the dance hall- there were lots of dance halls around at the time.

“Things have gradually changed but Richmond has always been lovely with the river.

“You could get a boat down the river- that was really nice.

“A lot of the shops have changed but House of Fraser has stayed.”

Mary moved to London from Ballybofey in Donegal, Ireland, when she was 18 and began working at Meadow Bank Social Club for Cable and Wireless Staff in Twickenham.

The last remnants of the Telecoms company left the UK some years ago and the club has been converted into a nursing home.

Mary also worked in a typing office in Red Lion Street, which is now a Pizza Express.

Barrie said the couple, who have four sons, have “no regrets”.

Dean was born in 1972, followed by Owen in 1974.

Born in 1982, sons Stuart and Ross are twins.

Describing the moment he and Mary found about the double arrival, he said: “The doctor took us away to ‘break’ the news- I think a lot of people at the time were worried about supporting twins- but we were really happy.

“It’s been such a joy to have them.”

The couple, who got married on September 16, 1967, have travelled a lot during their time together and have an apartment in Croatia.

It also seems that 16 might be their lucky number. Both their birthdays land on the 16th- Barrie in February and Mary in June. Mary’s sister was also born on the 16th.

Their apartment on the island of Brac- which was not yet built when they bought it- ended up being number 16.

And, of course, the date of their wedding is on the 16th.

When asked what the secret to their 50-year marriage was, Barrie replied: “No secret, we were dedicated to our children, to our family and we haven’t given up on anyone.”

He added some advice: “Work at it, be patient and don’t take life too seriously.”