Joan and Roy celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary after chance meeting led to love in Northampton

Joan, 87, and Roy King, 89, first made eye contact on the last bus home 72 years ago and have celebrated 70 "fantastic" years of marriage this week.

Joan, then 15, had just finished her night course when she wandered to the bus station in Northampton town centre to hop aboard her bus home to Nether Heyford.

Roy had just finished his evening with a group of friends at the pub in Fish Street and was headed back home to Bugbrooke on the same journey. It was then when the pair plucked up the courage to talk to one another.

Roy, who started out his career as a laddermaker, said: "It was the last bus home and Joan had been to the Tech college where she was learning shorthand and typing.

"I was with my usual gang of friends and I had spotted Joan sat on her own.

"I thought she was a beautiful girl. Now, she's a very glamourous lady and I've had a great life."

From then on after their chance meeting, the pair agreed to meet up between Bugbrooke and Nether Heyford, at Lovers Lane, where they would meander round on weekends holding hands and chatting.

After 18 months, the pair tied the knot on October 7, 1950, at the Northampton registery office, which saw Roy travel back from his national service duty in the army, where he was based Egypt.

Their honeymoon saw them take a trip to Bugbrooke fairground, which they later made up for on six luxury cruises, including their favourite trip abroad to St Lucia.

Seventy years of marriage later, the pair, who now live in Kingsthorpe, say the secret to a happy partnership is their close family bond with their three children Carol, David and Andrew, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. As well as hours in the sunshine spent pottering in the garden and playing bowls and skittles with their friends.

Joan, who used to be a receptionist at Barclaycard, laughed: "Roy is very, very easy going, he's had a lot to put up with.

"We have had our ups and downs like everyone else but our 70 years together have been fantastic.

"I think your family keeps you together, they are wonderful and we have never fallen out or had an argument. I could not wish for more of a lovely family, they are so special."

The pair plan to celebrate their anniversary next year with a family party which will also mark Roy's 90th and their daughter Carol's 70th celebrations.