A DEVOTED couple were handed a personal message from the Queen by Postman Pat as they toasted their diamond wedding anniversary - 60 years after their eyes met over a glass of milk.

Christine and Vernon Watts have been married since 1960, having met in a cafe in Prittlewell in 1959.

Vernon had kept buying Christine milk, and they took their relationship on from there after Vernon came out of serving in the Navy.

Vernon, 79, said he “completely fell” for Christine, 77, and they had married within 11 months on October 8, 1960.

Fast-forward to 2020 on their diamond wedding anniversary, they now have five children, 13 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

Their extended family are - apart from one child - all within ten minutes of their home in Newington Avenue, Southchurch.

Vernon has since worked as a builder in Southend, while Christine headed up the Southend Sapphires Majorette dance troupe for more than 30 years.

Speaking on the success of their marriage, Vernon said: “I fell for her hard.

“It’s give and take, and I just do as I’m told!”

Christine said: “I had to do home working, but I did run the dance troupe for about 30 years. That took a lot of my time.

“My eldest daughter was the trainer, she was brilliant. We won the Southend Carnival three times.”

Christine closed down the troupe several years ago, but her and Vernon have lived very happy lives since.

On Thursday for their anniversary, their daughter arranged for a Royal Mail worker dressed as Postman Pat to deliver their letter from the Queen.

They also had a family meal on separate tables, and Vernon gave his wife a white diamond ring.

Christine said: “We have wonderful grandchildren, they always beeline for Vernon. The day was very emotional.

“As I was sat I was overcome by it all, it was such a wonderful day.”