AN ELDERLY couple from Borehamwood will have a double celebration this Christmas as they mark their 60th wedding anniversary.

Harry and Kath Tucker, of Wansford Park, married on Christmas eve 1950 in Poplar before they moved to Borehamwood in 1956.

Mr Tucker, 85, said the secret to their successful marriage was to “let the wife make all the decisions”.

The couple were hoping to celebrate at their favourite nearby hotel, but unfortunately they have been told there is no room at the Holiday Inn - as they are not taking bookings from non-residents this year.

Instead Mrs Tucker, 82, said they will toast a small celebration and exchange gifts at home.

The couple said they are likely to be alone as most of their friends have now sadly died, and relatives live too far away.

The couple said they met after the Second World War, in which Mr Tucker had volunteered and served with the Royal Navy. He told The Borehamwood & Elstree Times of one eventful Christmas, when his ship was torpedoed on the way back from Gibraltar on New Year's Eve 1944.

Mrs Tucker said she worked in several jobs before retiring, serving eight years as a bus conductor.

Mrs Tucker said: “I had to stop that job because too many people were always getting on the bus and expecting free rides.”

The couple stressed the importance of “letting things go” for harmonious matrimony, with Mr Tucker adding “having Sky Sports helps”.