Good humour, listening and friendship are the three essential ingredients for a long and happy marriage, according to an Alloa couple who just celebrated their 60-year anniversary.

Malcolm and Margaret Jones met on a holiday abroad with their respective friends.

She recalled: “We were travelling on our way to Majorca back in 1961. Our friends also got engaged to each other and then married. It was quite a romantic beginning.

“We’re still in touch with those friends to this day, and we’re godparents to their children.

“We’ve been back to Majorca several times and the last time we went to the resort that we initially stayed at. It really hasn’t changed much because it’s such a small resort.”

Malcolm worked in the Metropolitan Police for 30 years, and Margaret was an assistant to directors in a company. She said: “We lived in London all our working lives and retired to South Wales.

“After 10 years our daughter married a Scotsman and had a daughter of her own, then we decided to move here.”

Talking about the challenges of working life, she added: “I suppose the hard thing was not seeing much of him when the children were very young, because he was either working, in court, or sleeping before his next shift.

"I think it helped that we lived in a good community where everybody was very supportive. If you needed it there was always someone there to give you a helping hand."

The happy couple share a deep love of travel, which they’ve prioritised throughout their marriage.

Margaret said: “Even if it was a penny, it would be put away towards the next holiday.

“China was my favourite. It was my 55th birthday and I said to Malcolm that I’d love to go to London to see the exhibition of the Terracotta army.

"When I got home, I discovered that he had booked a trip to China. That was really exciting and different.

“For our 50th anniversary we had a cruise round South America, including the Falklands where Malcolm should have been posted, but decided not to go because it was six months away from family.”

When asked what advice she has for young couples hoping to have a lengthy marriage, she said: “Listen, and don’t draw your conclusions too quickly.

"If there’s a problem share it, and don’t be shy to talk about money because that can often be a stumbling block for people starting out together.”