WHEN he was 24, Fred Sorton had a big decision to make — whether to buy an MG sports car he always wanted or to go out with Olive. He never had the sports car.

But Fred, now 87, has never regretted it and today (Thursday) he and his wife, who live in Ashley Road, Okehampton, celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

Olive, 82, said: 'It was Fred's mum that introduced us. I met her first and she said I'd like you to meet my son Fred and it just went from there. I hope she didn't regret it!'

Fred, who was born in Okehampton, was serving in the Army when he met his future wife.

He served in North Africa and was at the D-Day landings in Normandy. A 'Desert Rat' with the Eighth Army, Fred remembers being at the Battle of El Alamein, one of the major turning points in the war.

He said: 'I was a lorry driver, carrying ammunition. I remember sitting in the cab of my truck when all the guns along the front started firing. They were so powerful that with the vibration not only did my lorry shake, which was full of ammunition, but all the sand surrounding was also shaking. I don't mind admitting that at the time I was pretty scared!

Fred, who is a member of Okehampton Royal British Legion and the Normandy Veterans' Association, also served in Norway, part of the Allied force who took the surrender of the German occupying forces.

Fred and Olive married in Okehampton Church in 1950 — the bridegroom working as a lorry driver and the bride continuing her work in service until their daughter, Linda, was born in 1958. Linda, a dental nurse, is married to John, who has just retired from working for West Devon Borough Council.

The diamond couple are grandparents to James, who works at Morrison's superstore in Tavistock as a deputy supervisor and Carley, an optometrist.

Fred worked as a lorry driver for Okehampton builders merchants F J Reeves and other local firms.

Olive said: 'Sixty years is a long time to be married but life is what you make of it. We have our health, kept working and had a wonderful family. We couldn't ask for more.'

Fred is equally happy with his lot. 'I never did get to drive that MG sports car but I'm more than happy with that decision I made.'

The couple are having a quiet time together today before going to the Crossways Inn in Follygate for a special lunch/party with their family on Sunday.

Devon County Council leader Christine Marsh, a long time friend of the couple, said: 'Fred and Olive are such a lovely, devoted couple and I wish them and their family a lovely time on Sunday in their celebrations.'