A LOVING couple who fell in love over canteen dinners are now set to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

Linda, 78, and Michael Cummins, 82, who now live in East Wellow, were married on June 22, 1963, at a church in West End.

They met when Michael started working at a scrap metal company, Pollock Brown, in Northam as a general errand boy.

During this time, Linda's mum was a cook at the canteen where Michael worked.

The pair met when Linda used to rush to see her mum after school and help out in the canteen.

It was as if fate brought them together, and they started dating when Linda was 15 and Michael was 20.

And a couple of years later, 18-year-old Linda and 23-year-old Michael got married. Daily Echo: Linda, 78, and Michael Cummins, 82, got married 60 years ago Linda, 78, and Michael Cummins, 82, got married 60 years ago (Image: Emma Cummins)

The couple had three daughters, Donna, Emma, and Victoria, all before Linda was 23. 

Linda and Michael now have seven grandchildren, Hollie, Daisy, Cameron, Jordan, Grace, Samuel, and Henry, and three great-grandchildren, Jack, Hope, and Beatrix.

The Southampton-born and bred duo have always worked as a team and say 'family has always been our driving force'. 

They moved to East Wellow after Michael retired from Pollark Brown at 60 as a national director.

They have lived in the area for 12 years, and they say their garden 'has always been their pride and joy'.Daily Echo: Linda, 78, and Michael Cummins, 82, got married 60 years ago Linda, 78, and Michael Cummins, 82, got married 60 years ago (Image: Emma Cummins)

They have also travelled extensively and still speak fondly of all their trips.

Michael, a lifelong avid golfer, has recently been forced to put his clubs away due to Parkinson’s disease.

When asked about her parents, their daughter Emma said: "Theirs truly is a love story meeting.

"My mum and dad's secret to a long, happy marriage is being a team and the family they have around them.

"Life has thrown some curve balls for them health-wise since the Covid-19 lockdown, and luckily I am here to care for them full-time.

"I know this anniversary means the world to them, and to be able to celebrate with a lovely meal out with their family is all the celebration they need." Daily Echo: Linda (Left) Emma (Middle) and Michael Cummins (Right)Linda (Left) Emma (Middle) and Michael Cummins (Right) (Image: Emma Cummins)