Seventy years of marriage and the love between two childhood sweethearts is still going strong.

Alec and Ruby Swann, both 91, first set eyes on each other aged just 15 while working at a factory creating metallic tubing in South Street in Ponders End.

Six years later, they married at the Catholic Church of Mary Mother of God in Ponders End on February 13, 1943 while Mr Swann was serving as a mechanic in the Navy during the Second World War.

Mrs Swann, who now lives in Lincoln Road in Bush Hill Park, visited her beloved husband in his care home Hugh Myddleton House in Old Farm Avenue in Southgate on Friday to toast their platinum wedding anniversary with friends.

It was clear time has done little to quell their feelings, and when asked about the secret to their marriage, the great grandmother said: “We used to give and take, we never argued. We never quarrelled over money – we just used to be careful.”

She added: “He is lovely, I have always loved him. We have such a good time together. We said our prayers together.

“My marriage was made in heaven. We have always been happy.”

She remembers their "lovely" wedding day where her dapper husband was dressed in his naval uniform and she borrowed a wedding dress from a friend.

To their amazement, they received a card from the Queen wishing them all the best while celebrating their remarkable milestone.

Mr Swann, who worked as a carpenter before becoming a supervisor at Ford in Ponders End, was only separated from his wife last year when he was admitted to the care home after suffering from painful gout.

Siven Vencatasawmy, general manager of the care home, said Mrs Swann is never far from his mind and he often asks after his darling wife.

The couple, who spent most of their life in Enfield, are proud to have four children, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren between them.