IT was a chance meeting at a London post office, and now a Romsey couple are celebrating 70 years of wedded bliss.

This week , Ted and Milly Catt marked the occasion with a quiet meal and 'a glass of something'.

The couple have lived in the Romsey area for almost 50 years, and have lived in the town itself for the last 16 years.

Ted grew up in Hastings, but his parents were evacuated during the war, and he then met Milly after taking a temporary job at Enfield post office in London, where she was working.

After joining the Royal Navy in 1944, he spent three years helping to clear mines in the North Sea and Irish Sea – on one occasion coming inches from disaster as one of the mines was very nearly missed.

The couple have three children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, and insist it's the give and take that has given them so many happy years together.

Milly, 90, said: "I think it's a bit of give and take isn't it? I give and he takes!"

Ted retired in 1982 and became a magistrates in Salisbury, and became active in the U3A. He also took up painting, and a variety of his work hangs in their home. Milly also took up yoga after caring for their children David, now 67, Jimmy, 65, and Lois, 56.

Ted said: "We have had some fantastic times and lots of precious memories. We are partying from now until September, as the children have their slots booked in to spend time with us. David is in New Zealand and Jimmy is in Australia. Lois moved to The Orkneys, so they will each be coming to spend time with us.

"We will be having a quiet meal, we won't tell anyone, and just sit and have what we like. It's what we always have done!"