EASTENDERS Alf and Ann Williams are celebrating 60 years of wedded bliss.

Alf, 81, and Ann, 78, met at school in Bow, East London, and were married in a church up the road.

The couple moved to Basildon in the Seventies, where they have spent the majority of their married life.

They have just celebrated their diamond anniversary with a party, attended by more than 60 friends and family.

Their niece Silvie Watts said: "They met and were married in Bow, so they're proper cockneys.

"Theirs is a lovely story because they were childhood sweethearts who have spent their whole lives together.

"Alf was friends with one of Ann's brothers and it went from there. They have been totally devoted to each other ever since."

She added Alf had suffered health problems recently, but he never complained and they were both determined not to let that put a damper on their anniversary celebrations.

They never had children, but have a large and close family.

Silvie said: "Alf and Ann are the perfect example for anyone starting married life. They are still very much in love, even after all these years."