The couple, of Barclay Road, Netherton, Peterborough, celebrate the milestone tomorrow, but went on the cruise early with their two daughters, son-in-laws and five grandchildren to take advantage of the glorious weather.

Mrs Thorpe, née Scotney, thanked her daughters, Linda Scotney and Julie Deakin, for organising the present, and said strong family ties was one reason behind their long and happy marriage.

The pair's eyes met across a hall where they were both taking ballroom dancing classes.

Mrs Thorpe (70) said: "I was 18 and he was 20. We just clicked."

Mr Thorpe (71) was doing three years national service with the RAF as a leading aircraftsman at the time.

They married at Bourne Abbey Church in 1958, and moved to Peterborough shortly afterwards.

Mr Thorpe went on to work as a buyer for Hotpoint and his wife was secretary at Peterborough District Hospital.

She said: "We have so many shared interests, we are just compatible.

"We love gardening, travelling, church interests, sight-seeing. We share so many things.

"It's about give and take, being thankful for what you have and counting your blessings every day.

"We have always been a very close family. My daughters have been incredibly good to us. We have always shared everything - the good and the not so good. Family ties are important to us."

Mr Thorpe said: "I pursued her relentlessly at the beginning because I always thought she was the girl for me.

"We have always worked together, through good times and bad and are always helpful to one another."