Just one year ago, John Luker was on the brink of death - but he pulled through to celebrate his diamond wedding anniversary with his beloved wife.

Eighty-year-old John's heart stopped beating for 20 minutes when he suffered a heart attack last March - but medics saved his life and he returned home three months later.

For John and his wife Marjorie Luker, of Balmoral Drive, it was the latest of the ups and downs in 60 years of marriage, and the couple say they would not change it for the world.

The pair met at an Evening Institute dance and began dating after John splashed out on fish and chips for their group of friends.

They married on April 3, 1954 and moved to their home in Borehamwood from Roehampton a year later, where they have lived ever since.

They celebrated their 60 years by treating close friends and family to a dinner in St Albans over the weekend.

Mrs Luker said: “We’ve had our ups and downs, like everyone else. We both have a good sense of humour, and understand give and take.

“But we trust each other implicitly – that’s been the most important thing.”

Now great grandparents, they say the birth of their children - a son and daughter - has been one of the many highlights of their marriage.

Mrs Luker added: “We’ve been very fortunate, they’ve never given us one ounce of trouble.”

When asked what the secret to 60 years of marriage is, Mr Luker said: “We know you can’t agree on everything. She does the talking, I do the listening.”