A COUPLE who have lived in the same house all of their married lives have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Keith and Eileen Jacklin moved in to their newly-built house in Meldreth soon after they were married in 1947. Keith, who is almost 90,

A COUPLE who have lived in the same house all of their married lives have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Keith and Eileen Jacklin moved in to their newly-built house in Meldreth soon after they were married in 1947.

Keith, who is almost 90, and Eileen, 83, met while Eileen, who was living in Preston, was visiting family in Melbourn.

Eileen said: "He was going out with my cousin at the time, but that didn't work out."

Eileen started to send letters to Keith when he was sent abroad with the Army.

When he returned Eileen moved from her home in Preston to Melbourn and after another year- and-a-half of dating, Keith, then 30 and Eileen 23, were married at Meldreth church.

Keith, who is an honoury member of Meldreth Bowls Club, worked for design firm Ogle for almost 20 years and was a member of the team that built the Pope-mobile, the vehicle in which the Pope travelled in on a visit to England.

Eileen worked as a home help for more than 20 years and was a volunteer at Moorlands in Melbourn.

Among their hobbies are gardening and Eileen enjoys creating stichwork pictures of local sites, such as the church.

They have two daughters, two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter with another on the way.

There is no real secret to a long marriage according to the couple, but Keith says: "Eileen does what she likes and I do what I like.

"We get on very well together. We have our ups and our downs like everyone else. I'm very easy going and Eileen keeps me under control.