A chance meeting at a parish hall dance has led to 70 years of walking in step for a St Keverne couple now living in Mullion and celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary.

Ian and Muriel James (nee Retallack) were married on August 1, 1950 in St Keverne Church and on Saturday they celebrated again with family and friends, exactly 70 years later.

Muriel, the daughter of Ewart Retallack, brother of Tom Retallack who started the well known butchers in the village, met Ian while he was stationed at RNAS Culdrose in the Navy.

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After his service ended Ian joined the MOD police and was based in Culdrose until his retirement.

They lived, apart from a posting to Singapore, in St Keverne until 13 years ago when they moved to Mullion to be closer to Muriel's sister Shirley.

For many years Muriel sang with St Keverne Ladies Choir and while Ian enjoyed gardening and wine making in the village, with both attending and running local whist drives.

They have a daughter Carol and son David, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

The couple said they were overwhelmed with all the cards and good wishes they had received, adding: "We would like to thank everyone very much."