Couple celebrate 80th anniversary

The couple have been married since May 1928

A couple thought to have been married longer than anyone in the country have celebrated their 80th anniversary.

Frank and Anita Milford, from Plymouth, exchanged vows on 26 May, 1928.

Frank is 100 and when Anita also turns 100 in June it is thought they will be the only living couple in Britain to have both reached a century.

The couple marked their "oak" anniversary with champagne in the company of their family, at the Plymouth nursing home where they live.

They are very, very happy today and feel on top of the world Frank Milford, son

Their 73-year-old son, also called Frank, said it was going to be a quiet celebration as his parents did not want any fuss. He said: "We are going to have a nice lunch and a nice tea.

"They have had lots of cards and visitors - but because there is no post today their telegram from the Queen had not yet arrived. They are very, very happy today and feel on top of the world."

He said his parents had always told him the secret of their long marriage was to "always have a kiss and cuddle at night - never go to bed with any bad feeling".

The pair met at a YMCA dance in the St Budeaux area of Plymouth in 1926 and were married two years later at Torpoint registry office.

Mr Milford worked at Devonport dockyard until his retirement at the age of 60.

The couple stayed in Plymouth throughout the Second World War and the Blitz, twice having narrow escapes from bombs.

They have two children and four grandchildren.