A MARRIAGE of 60 years “doesn’t feel like that long” according to a couple of cinephiles celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

Arthur and Joan Frost, from Prestatyn, will celebrate 60 years of marriage on August 23.

Joan said: “What do I feel about reaching 60 years? Well it’s incredible, not many people ever reach it.

“We do have our problems, but we’re pretty cool about it and it really doesn’t feel that long.”

Both are originally from London and lifelong cinema fans.

Arthur plucked up the courage to court Joan Courtney after they first met in 1954 at the Old Kent Picture House cinema on Old Kent Road when they were 15.

Arthur and Joan then tied the knot in 1958 at St Anthony’s Church in Nunhead, London before leaving for their honeymoon in Ramsgate, Kent, where they eventually settled.

“I just said ‘I think we should get married’ and Joan said ‘okay’, but I did ask her dad for permission,” Arthur said.

The couple had five children, namely Sandra, Heather, Barbara and James – all of whom still live in Kent – and the late Julie, who settled on the Wirral before she died from cancer last year.

Their family now includes some 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grand children.

Joan added: “Our family is quite prolific, but I do sometimes have trouble remembering all of their names and birthdays.”

The pair’s love of cinema continued into their professional lives, with Joan working as a projectionist, as well as on the busses as a conductor and as a butcher’s assistant,

Arthur worked his way up from pageboy to projectionist to a stage manager before managing cinemas and theatre.

During his career, Arthur met a great array of stars including Buddy Holly, Ella Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Diana Dors, Danny Kaye, Tom Hanks, James Stewart and Cliff Richard.

He also encountered Sir Alf Ramsey and the 1971 England football squad.

Arthur also spent some time working as an ambassador for Saga Cruises, allowing the couple to indulge in their other passion for going on cruises – leading to trips around the world including St Lucia, New Zealand, Alaska and Canada.

The pair settled in Prestatyn 17 years ago, where Joan still enjoys the cinema as well as reading, and Arthur volunteers for the Pavilion theatre and various charities as well as being the chair and Nordic walking instructor for the You’ll Never Walk Alone walking group.

Arthur and Joan, both 79, are expecting some family members to visit on Saturday, August 25 to celebrate the anniversary.

Joan said: “Whatever it will be, I’m sure it will be a complete surprise.”

Arthur added: “We’re already very surprised to get here, 60 years is an amazing amount of time.

“There have been many ups and downs along the way but, together, we weathered them.

“The secret is tolerance and understanding of each others ways – and lots of give and take.”