The pair met at Ropsley Village Hall when Dick asked Sylvia for a dance after their friends paired off. They married in the village a year later.


A farmworker, Dick worked at Humby Hall and the couple moved into a house at Little Humby, where they stayed for five years.


Their son Michael was born two years after they married and the family moved to Ropsley, where Sylvia grew up, in 1963.


After eight years working for Fosters Builders, Dick began working for South Kesteven District Council, where he stayed for 37 years until his retirement.


As well as bringing up their son, Sylvia worked at Tesco in Grantham until the store closed and also as a cleaner at the Rospley Fox pub.


Since their retirements, the couple have enjoyed looking after their garden, ballroom dancing and going on day trips and holidays with their grandchildren - Christopher, 24, Robert, 20, Charlotte, 12, and eight-year-old Chloe.


They both enjoy cricket and Dick, 77, only gave up playing last year. Sylvia made teas for Welby Cricket Club for 27 years when her husband played for the team.


They say the secret to a long and happy marriage is to work hard and compromise.


Sylvia, 71, said: "I don't think people work at marriage nowadays. It is important that you spend time together but also nice to do things separately - that counts for a lot."


Dick said: "Marriage now is here today, gone tomorrow for a lot of people.


"You learn to get used to one another over the years and work hard together."


They will celebrate their landmark anniversary with a meal for family and friends.


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