Kitty and Don Crutchley, who live in Coppice Road, met in 1955 at a work dance at Lockheed in Leamington, where Mr Crutchley worked in the offices and his wife-to-be worked as a machinist.

They married two years later at St Peter's church in Leamington and moved into their first home in Russell Terrace.

Mrs Crutchley, nee Carroll, was born in Cork in Ireland and moved to the town when she was 18 to live with her sister.

The couple, who have five children and 11 grandchildren, will be celebrating the occasion with a party at home and are hoping for a special present.

Mrs Crutchley said: "We have a great-grandchild on the way and we are hoping it will be born on our anniversary."

Family holidays are a priority for the couple, who enjoy regular trips to Spain and the Isle of Wight.

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When he was younger Mr Crutchley, who grew up in Stratford, was a keen sportsman and played football for Stratford Town and Tachbrook and Whitnash clubs.

The 72-year-old was also a member of the AP cricket team and enjoys spending time with his grandchildren.

He said: "The highlight of the past 50 years has been the wife and kids - they have been brilliant.

"We always said we would go on holiday a lot with the kids and we used to go away twice a year."

Mrs Crutchley joined Whitnash parish council in 1970 after winning a campaign to get school buses from the town to Myton School. After 21 years of service she joined Warwick District Council and resumed her role with the town council in 2002.

The 75-year-old, who is a member of Whitnash Windmill Petanque Club blames work and money worries for the increase in divorces.

She said: "When we brought our first house the mortgage was based on my husband's wages and now it is on both partners' and couples are under so much pressure.

"I don't think many people celebrate 50 years and that is a shame."
She puts her successful marriage down to enjoying life and appreciating each other and added: "We have had a good life and we have had lots of holidays and done everything together.

"We are very proud of the family and we don't take each other for granted or anything like that and obviously love comes into it as well."