“GIVE and take” – that is the secret of the Hampshire couple who will today celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

Rosemary and Cecil White, from Chandler’s Ford, met in Winchester back in 1950 when Cecil, moved from Portsmouth following the Second World War.

The pair had ended up living only few doors away from each other and started dating in 1953.

Rosemary, 79, who used to work as a nurse, said: “Our first date was at my mother’s garden gate. I wasn’t allowed to go out.

“She was very protective and she didn’t want me to go out with Cecil.”

It was in Rosemary’s garden that Cecil, 80, a former plumber, proposed.

The couple got engaged in 1955 and married in Christ Church in Winchester in 1958, before making the short trip along the south coast to Weymouth for their honeymoon.

They now have two sons, two grandsons and two great grand-daughters.

“When I woke up that day the snow was lying on the ground,” Rosemary said.

“We went to the church and then we had a party with 105 guests.

“Whatever we do, we do it together.

“He is my best friend, my companion and and he’ll always be.

“I love him and I wouldn’t change him for the world.”

Rosemary said that they love going out for lunch when they can, and added that the secret of staying together for so long and love each other is to give and take.

“You have to give and take and if you have an argument you just have to say sorry and make up.

“We argue, every couple does, but it’s making up afterwards that is important.”

The couple say they will be spending the day with their family to celebrate their anniversary.