Sharing, travelling and dancing are the secrets to a long and happy marriage, according to a Soham couple who are to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary this week.

Jack and Joyce Watson married in Soham Church in 1947, and will celebrate their platinum anniversary in the home they have shared for almost 60 years tomorrow (March 14).

The pair met shortly after Jack had returned from serving in the army in World War Two and tied the knot in the town that they still live in to this day.

The newly-weds enjoyed a trip to London for their honeymoon – a tradition they then continued for 10 years – before settling down in Soham and having two children, Richard and Trevor, who later gave them five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

“We’d both grown up in Soham and we met after I returned from the war,” Jack said.

“Six months later we started going out and we got married shortly after. We had the wedding at the church and the reception at Central Hall, next to the recreation ground, on a Friday night.”

It was after retirement that the couple’s love for travelling blossomed, with small caravanning holidays soon turning into longer trips to the USA and Canada.

“We’ve always liked getting out and seeing the world,” said Jack.

“We’ve been to places like Washington and we’ve got friends in Canada so we often go to visit them.”

As well as travelling, the couple believes sharing is vital in sustaining a happy relationship – including sharing a dance floor.

“We’re very fond of ballroom dancing,” said Jack.

“We used to do a lot of dancing after I retired but unfortunately we can’t now. My advice for a long marriage would be to share and share alike, and to do a lot of give and take.

“We’re very lucky to still be here together in the same house after 58 years.”

Jack and Joyce’s platinum anniversary will be the second time the family has had something to celebrate recently – Jack was appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the Order National de la Legion d’honour in April last year for his heroics during the war, something he hails as a “very proud achievement” in his life.

And now that the couple have reached another milestone in their marriage, Jack, 94, has set his sights on them reaching a personal goal – celebrating their 100th birthdays.

“Well, why not?” he said. “We’ve got the odd ache and pain but we feel good.”

The couple marked their anniversary with a meal at the Five Miles From Anywhere Pub in Upware on Sunday.