TWO Kidderminster dance teachers are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary today.

John and Jean Chammings, of Northgate Close, were married at St John's Church in Kidderminster in 1954, after Mr Chammings returned from his national service in the RAF.

After retirement, the couple trained to become qualified dance teachers and they still run sequence dancing classes in Stourport and Kidderminster two or three times a week.

Mr Chammings, 81, said: "We met through a mutual friend in 1949 when I worked at Halfords and Jean was a ladies hairdresser locally. She had trouble with her bicycle so I sold her a new one and things just took off from there."

After the couple married, Mr Chammings joined the Collins family at Kidderminster Motors (Ford Dealers) while Mrs Chammings, 82, ran her family's tobacconist in Park Butts.

In 1968, the couple decided to set up their own business buying a garage in Stourport Road known as Stourminster Motor Services, where they traded until 1988.

After retirement, they qualified as dance teachers through the International Dance Teachers Association in 1990.

The couple say the secret of their successful marriage is partnership.

Mr Chammings added: "We have been partners in marriage, business and dancing but most all in love."

The couple will be celebrating with 70 of their friends and family.