A DEVOTED couple who have never spent a night apart are celebrating an astonishing 70 years of wedded bliss.

Albert and Phyllis Twinley, of Kirby Cross, met in north London in 1946 when they were serving with the Royal Signals as company quartermaster sergeants.

Radio communications expert Albert had served in the Far East during the war and Phyllis was a telephonist.

After leaving the army, the couple moved to Kent and then to Sussex, where they ran a butchers business together.

Albert, 95, and Phyllis, 91, retired to Essex 30 years ago to be nearer their family.

Daughter Caroline Gard, from Frinton, said: “They still live at home and my father was still driving until two years ago – they used to go out every day.

“They both love sport. My father used to play football and cricket, and they still love watching it so they are in their element at the moment because of the World Cup, cricket and tennis.

“They love reading and have library books every week and do puzzles every day.”

The couple have two children, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

They celebrated their platinum on Tuesday with family and friends.

Caroline added: “They put the success of their long marriage down to mutual tolerance, working together to make joint decisions and not letting disagreements last long.

“They also say it’s important to have a sense of humour and laugh together.”