A ‘lightning-packed’ first kiss, followed by a marriage proposal six weeks later, was the start of a ‘wonderful life’ for one diamond wedding couple.

Sidmouth Herald: Sidmouth residents Ray and Maureen Scott back on their wedding day sixty years ago. Ref shs 24-16SH 8978.Sidmouth residents Ray and Maureen Scott back on their wedding day sixty years ago. Ref shs 24-16SH 8978. (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth residents Maureen and Ray Scott celebrated 60 years of marriage today (Thursday) after meeting through their local church in Loughborough.

Maureen recalled setting eyes on her future husband from the choir stalls of Emmanuel Church, shortly after Ray had moved to the area from Lancashire. The couple would marry in the church on June 23 1956.

The 81-year-old said: “I had seen him coming to church and the first time I saw him walk up to the altar I thought ‘he’s mine’. I knew as soon as I saw him what was going to happen. I didn’t realise I would have him for 60 years - I thought six weeks.”

The go-getter was quick to snap up her man for a dance at her friend Pip’s 21st birthday party, when her friend did not want to be first on the dance floor.

She said: “He says my first words were ‘it’s about time we met’.”

Ray, a retired banker, added: “I thought ‘what a fast cat’.”

The couple began courting and recounted their first kiss was to Jimmy Young’s Unchained Melody and said, in that moment, they both knew after being ‘struck by lightning’.

After six weeks, Ray proposed on the back seats of a double-decker bus between Leicester and Loughborough. Maureen had been into the city for a hairdresser’s appointment and met up with her beau for the journey home.

The retired retail assistant said: “He said to me ‘if I were to ask you to marry me?’ and I realised he was proposing to me, so I said ‘if you are, then the answer’s yes’.”

The couple have lived in Sidmouth for more than 20 years after falling in love with the town while on holiday.

A long marriage was on the cards for Maureen as her parents were married for 64 years and her brother Maurice also reached his diamond wedding anniversary.

Maureen, who volunteers at Marie Curie, in Sidmouth, said: “My mum used to say, never go to sleep without kissing each other good night.

“We are opposites. I’m very outgoing. I have always been up for any excuse for a party and he’s more sporty and the serious one.”

The couple have three daughters, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Ray said: “We have had a lucky life; we have had a marvellous time. We have three wonderful daughters, our grandchildren and great grandchildren. We are totally different.”