IT WAS a holiday romance that blossomed into a 60-year love story for Arthur and Christine Davis.

The Cowley couple first locked eyes in a pub during a trip with friends to the Isle of Wight in 1952.

The pair spent three years writing letters across the country, with Mrs Davis (née Balbock) living in Royal Tunbridge Wells and Mr Davis living in Warborough.

But hundreds of miles could not keep them apart, and they tied the knot on July 22, 1955.

Yesterday they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Mrs Davis, 80, said: “I would not be without him. He is my rock really, as well as my husband.”

According to Mrs Davis, the couple first decided to meet up and rekindle their romance in London.

She remembered being worried that foggy weather would prevent her from seeing Mr Davis.

But the weather did not stop the reunion, which led to trips between their two homes.

Mr Davis, now 85, popped the question, with the couple marrying in St Barnabas Church in Tunbridge Wells. The couple moved to their Crescent Road home, where they have lived ever since.

Mrs Davis, who worked at Cowley’s James Walker jewellers, feels lucky to have a loving family, including sons Kevin, 57, and Michael, 54, as well as granddaughter Stella, 15.

Kevin and Michael went to St Christopher’s Primary School before moving to Oxford School in Granville Road.

Mrs Davis said: “We’ve always been involved in the community, ever since the boys were small.

“I used to take Kevin to the 41st Scouts in St James and Michael to the Sea Scouts.

“Nowadays my husband and I are part of Oxfordshire Steam Rally Society and we love visiting rallies in Burford and Banbury.”

Mrs Davis said that a key part of growing older together was keeping busy.

She said: “When I moved to Oxfordshire, I worked in James Walker jewellers and the girls and I went on nights out to Turners.

“Now my husband and I visit the Six Bells pub in Warborough. It’s always best to have a busy lifestyle and then you’ve got lots to talk about.”

When asked of the secret of a happy marriage, Mrs Davis simply said: “Compromise. Our marriage is all about give and take and we just let arguments go.

“I can’t imagine how fast the years have gone by. You never think you will get that far but we have stuck it out.

“We have always got on well with each other. We are a very happy family.”

The couple are set to celebrate their anniversary with family and friends at Iffley’s Hawkwell House Hotel on Sunday.

Mr Davis, who was a Morris Motors mechanic for more than 30 years, said: “We always go out together. We don’t argue. It [the anniversary] is an achievement I suppose.

“I think I have always been well looked after. I don’t think I would change anything. I’m quite happy and I have been all along.”