PLATINUM wedding couple, Joan and Tony Tomkins, recently looked back on 70 years of happy marriage and a story that began in Ledbury town centre, where they first met.

That was back in 1945, when Britain was just emerging from the dark days of World War Two, when Joan was 18 and Tony was 20.

Three years later, in 1948, wedding bells were ringing at St Michael and All Angels Church.

Look back, Joan, who is now 90 yrs old, and Tony, who is 93, recalled how there were four bridesmaids, including Joan's sister, Barbara and a friend, and Tony's two sisters, Pearl and Joan. Tony’s best man was his cousin, Sam Bunn.

Joan was born in Ledbury and Tony in Colwall, and the couple's first home together was at 74 Bridge Street.

They have spent their entire lives in Ledbury, and now reside at Harling Court.

The happy couple had five children, Their first born was a son Barry, and four daughters followed, who were Sandra, Sheila, Linda and Amanda.

They are also proud to have 13 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

Daughter Sheila Gladwin said: "My mum is now the last surviving sibling of five and my dad is the last surviving sibling of four. A lot of Ledbury residents will remember my mum as their dinner lady and lollipop lady at Ledbury junior school where she worked for many years.

"My dad worked for Hopkins Garage in New Street, as a sprayer and mechanic, later working for Gittings Garage in Parkway.

"He was a very keen gardener, growing everything from vegetables to chrysanthemums and regularly entering them in competitions and winning many trophies, especially at Ledbury Carnival."