A 78-year-old man said it took him several attempts before his wife finally said yes to going out with him and now the couple are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

Derek and Valerie Tilley, of Gade Avenue, Watford first met in 1964 at work – the pair used to work at a company called SG Browns.

Mrs Tilley, 72, said: "The first time he asked me I had given him the wrong number.

"At that time I was living with my brother and it was an accident.

"He had tried to ring me and the next day he came over and through the piece of paper at me and said thanks."

Mrs Tilley, who then went on to work at the Mothercare head office for 22 years, said she tried to explain it was a mistake during a ten minute break.

He then asked her out again – this time to go for drinks after pay day.

Mrs Tilley said: "I gave him my address – the correct one, but I didn’t think he would show up, so I didn’t even change out of my work clothes. But he did come."

Mr Tilley, who was dating three other women when he first went out with his now wife, said he’d tried his luck again, even after she gave him the wrong number.

The couple, who married on October 10, 1965, had a small wedding at Mr Tilley’s father’s house and have since lived in Watford.

Mrs Tilley said that throughout the years they have been together they have always been supportive of each other.

The pair agreed that the secret to their long, successful marriage is trust.

Mr Tilley said: "This thing about it being all about love is it’s nothing if you don’t trust each other.

"When we were young we used to go out and we have flirted with others, but always in front of each other – that’s the main thing.

"And we argue nearly every day and sometimes afterwards we don’t even know remember what it was about. We’ve never had an argument and not talked to each other afterwards though."

To celebrate their 50th anniversary this week Mr and Mrs Tilley will be having a small party with their close friends and family – some of who have travelled from America to be there.