William and Mary Jane, who live at the Lizard, have celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary after notching up 70 years of happy marriage.

The couple, who have lived in their Coastline Housing bungalow since 1988, both also celebrated their 90th birthdays at the end of last year.

As a boy, William worked on a farm just up the road from his home as a horseman, but had ambitions to try his hand at a different career. A few of his friends had joined the Cable Service so he decided to hop onto a Western National bus and travel to Penzance to sign up. He said: “I can vividly remember the bus now – it was green and cream, and the driver called me ‘pard.’”

William was sent to join a ship in London that was in the process of being converted to a cable layer, and stayed in the Seaman’s Mission. Shortly after his arrival there, he decided to nip to the local pub for a drink. On his way in, he met a man coming out who pointed to a young lady sat at the bar and said "look after her until I get back." Ever the gentleman, William duly started talking to the young lady and so began a courtship that would lead to over 70 years of marriage.

At the time, Mary was working at the Tate and Lyle sugar factory in London, where she had a good view of the ships going about their business on the Thames – including the one William was stationed to. She said: “It turned out we were both born in December 1924 but I’m 16 days older than him – he’s my toy boy.”

Following the start of their courtship, William spent a number of years aboard HMS Latimer, part of the team laying cables from the Isle of Wight over to Calais. The couple married in 1946 in the East End of London.

Even though William continued to be sent all over the world with the Royal Navy the couple continued to correspond regularly by post. All of this was, of course, played out amid the backdrop of World War II.

They soon started a family too, and had three boys – Tony, Dennis and Brian. Later on in life, their family grew to include grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Upon moving back to Cornwall in the 80s, a location which had always had a special place in their hearts, William sang regularly with St Keverne Male Voice Choir for over 20 years. He also sang regularly with the Cadgwith Singers whenever he was back in the county for visits or longer periods.

Asked the secret of a long and happy marriage, William said: “You’ve got to help each other. We’ve both had health issues to deal with throughout our lives but we’ve always been there to help each other and do everything we can for each other.”

The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a family meal in Helston and were delighted to receive a card personally signed by the Queen.