Falmouth couple Sid and Pauline Bryant are celebrating 60 years of happy marriage this week and claim the secret to their success is trust and sharing everything.

The pair met when they were just 15 and 17 through their love of music and were later married at Potbury Church in Bristol where Sid was the organist. As an "outsider" Sid had had to leave his suitcase at the vicarage ahead of the wedding as both were required to be "of that parish" for them to be wed at the church.

Sid had qualified as a car mechanic in Somerset and Pauline had worked for the South West Electricity Board, (SWEB) at the time in Bristol. After falling in love with Cornwall during holidays with their young children, Paul, Sarah and Jason (known as Danny), the family decided to relocate in 1972 and start a new life here.

Sid worked in two garages in Falmouth before moving to Helston to work as a senior mechanic and MoT examiner until he retired in 1996 while Pauline had worked at Marks and Spencer in Falmouth for 23 years where she had befriended many customers and over the years. Wanting some adventure, and during a break from work in the late 1970s, Pauline went to sea on board the sail training ship, Malcolm Miller. She, along with other volunteers, sailed around the Bay of Biscay, but it wasn't quite the holiday she was expecting.

"The weather was so bad that Sid and the boys spent most of my time away at the coastguard station, keeping track," she said.

While working and bringing up a family, Sid still found time for his first love - music. He joined Nankersey Male Voice Choir soon after his arrival and although no longer an active member, he still enjoys a song and a pint with choir members. He is also the proud recipient of a long service award in recognition of almost 40 years' service.

In addition to his choir commitments, Sid has also been church organist at St Peter's Church in Flushing, where he became organist emeritus in 2013, and has been the main organist at St Mylor Church for over 40 years and still plays there most weekends. Earlier this year he was awards the St Piran's Cross by the Bishop of Truro, in recognition of his long and devoted service to the church.

Pauline had joined the WI in order to meet people and went on to become county treasurer, overseeing the finances for the development of the new WI headquarters in Truro at the age of 72. Now 81, she is an avid knitter and quilt maker.

The couple, who live at Carrick Road, were dealt a devastating blow in 2011 when their eldest son, Paul, died of cancer at the age of 51. "You are going to have highs and lows, but losing a son was not something you really get over," said Sid, now 83. They now enjoy spending time with their seven grandchildren and two foster grandchildren.