THEY are the Hampshire couple who fell in love over their shared affection for dogs.

And now 60 years on, Helen and John Milner are still going strong and this week have celebrated a milestone wedding anniversary.

The couple, from Totton, met when John was 22 years old and serving in the Army, based in Marchwood, and Helen was 16.

One afternoon while Helen was out walking her dog, she was stopped by John who praised the teen’s pet. and the couple haven’t looked back since.

They tied the knot in St Mary’s Church, Southampton.

After the couple married, they moved to Rownhams, before later living in Freemantle then settling in their current home.

John had completed an apprenticeship as a shipwright/carpenter but later moved to Marchwood to undertake national service.

He then worked in Southampton docks where he put what his carpentry skills to good use.

He also worked for the Department of the Environment working on general maintenance and carpentry.

Before John retired he worked at Curtis Holt tool bank in Totton, a hand tool distributor.

Helen was a barmaid in Totton before she gave birth to the pair’s two daughters, Kim and Kelly.

She later worked in the canteen at Union Carbide, which was part of Esso at Fawley, before working at Asda, Totton, prior to retirement.

The childhood sweethearts now have two grandsons, one granddaughter and five great-grandchildren.

Helen said the secret to a successful marriage was down to “give and take”, adding “love and affection works wonders”.