When teenager Sylvia Hine launched a tea tray at Reg Curtis for teasing her, little did she know that she had, in fact, found the man she would later marry.

But two children, four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren later, the couple, who overcame numerous hurdles and barriers to marry, are set to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

Sylvia, 77, who worked in WHSmith until she retired, explained: “Our meeting wasn’t exactly conventional. It’s a bit unusual. Reg is in fact my first cousin.

“I was living in Croydon with my mum and went to Watford to visit some relations. Reg had been evacuated to the area from Clacton-on-Sea in 1940.

“At first he hated me. He thought I was a snob, because I didn’t speak, but in truth it was because I was so shy. We didn’t get on initially, he used to tease me a lot. One day I got really cross and threw a tea tray at him.”

But according to Reg, 86, as soon as he set eyes on Sylvia, he was smitten.

The retired Wimco worker, said: “She was 15 when we met, and I wouldn’t say I hated her, I just thought she was a bit snobby. I can’t have disliked her that much, I kept visiting her in Croydon. Even though we are cousins, I knew she was the one for me. I was in love.”

For their first date, the couple went on a walk through the local gasworks on the way to the park, which for Reg is a memory that is remembered with a smile.

According to Mr and Mrs Curtis, their relationship caused tensions within the family and for a period they were banned from seeing one another.

Sylvia said: “Our families said we couldn’t see one another. My dad said Reg was too old and that we couldn’t as we are first cousins.

“It was said that if we stayed together, married and had children there would be something wrong with them – which isn’t the case.

“As soon as I was told I couldn’t see Reg, I decided I wouldn’t go out of the house any more.

“My aunt saw me moping about the house, saw how upset I was and one day gave us her blessing to cheer me up. From then on I was always by Reg’s side.”

Towards the end of 1951, Reg asked Sylvia to marry him, and on February 2, 1952, the couple were married at Christ Church, Croydon.

They relocated to Watford later that year and now live in Silver Dell, Leavesden Green.

Reg said: “I think the ban made us more determined to be together. And 60 years later, we have a big family and are happy – we’ve proved the naysayers wrong.”

At the time of the Queen’s Coronation, Sylvia gave birth to their first daughter Christine and later daughter Margaret.

When asked what the secret is to 60 years of marriage, the couple said: “It’s all about give and take.”

Sylvia said Reg always made her laugh while he replied: “Sylvia has never let me down, she’s never let anyone down.”