The secret to a long and happy marriage, according to Carol Winters, is to ensure you are secure in your marriage, but always remain an individual.

As the 68-year-old Bushey resident prepares to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary this Sunday, the sentiment has been echoed by her husband Leslie.

Mr Winters, 72, said: “For me, it was love at first sight when I met Carol. We used to hang around in a group together which frequented north London a lot.

“We’d go to restaurants, clubbing, and sort of ended up dating. It was a different time then, but we’ve still managed to keep a lot of the friends we used to go out with.

“But when I met Carol, I knew she was the one for me.”

After a year of dating Mr Winters proposed to his wife and they were married at Great Portland Street Synagogue, with a reception held at the Savoy.

Mr Winters, of Woodstock Road, said: “I was a bag of nerves when it came to proposing.

“I had to go to ask Carol’s father for permission first and it was quite intimidating. Luckily he gave me his blessing and she accepted.”

The wedding was documented in the Evening Standard’s “In London Last Night” column, a prestigious honour according to the couple, which resulted in them being recognised on honeymoon in Tenerife.

They started their married life in Kingsbury, with Mrs Winters having two children Nicholas and Michele by the time she had reached 21. Another son Matthew followed when she was 33, but by that time the pair had relocated to their current address in Bushey.

Mr Winters, who stills works a project director, has forged a career in local politics, acting first as councillor for Brent, then a Three Rivers district councillor.

He is currently a Hertsmere borough councillor, representing Bushey north and the Conservative party.

And it is having this separate interest, by maintaining his individuality in this way, Carol said, she believes has contributed to the success of their marriage.

Mrs Winters, who works in finance, said: “Don’t get me wrong - it’s hard work for Leslie and I don’t get that much joy from his role. But I do have my own interests.

“Without doubt, security in marriage and the ability to keep your independence and individuality is key to 50 years of wedded bliss.”

On Sunday, friends and family will gather together at a Hertfordshire manor house to celebrate the couple’s golden wedding anniversary.

Already their children have given them an aviary with doves - a poignant symbol for the pair, as Carol’s maiden name is Dove.

Mr Winters said: “It was a lovely, unexpected surprise. We were meant to have four doves, but four pairs of doves have arrived instead. We'll only be keeping two.

“When you get to our age, family is so important. We see our seven grandchildren often and gather together most Friday and Sunday evenings.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate such an important anniversary - surrounded by our loved ones.”