LIFELONG Chatteris resident Phyllis Smith had two reasons to celebrate when she toasted 70 years of marriage on the day of her 90th birthday.

Mrs Smith tied the knot with her husband Percy, 91, at Chatteris Baptist Chapel on January 3, 1942 – the day of her 20th birthday.

Best man Ken Gowler, 91, from Chatteris, Mrs Smith’s cousin, had also celebrated his birthday on the momentous wedding day, turning 21.

Seven decades later the couple celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary, in the house built for them by Mr Smith 64 years ago in Westbourne Road, Chatteris.

Mrs Smith said: “I still remember how we met. I was with a group of girls outside the cinema in Chatteris when these young chaps arrived. We went to watch the film and that was it.

“We had been married about three months when Percy was signed up to the forces. He was put on board the merchant ships to help protect them and he sailed all over the world.

“We are very proud of our 70 years. It’s lovely really, we have so many memories.”

The couple have two sons, Peter and Trevor, as well as two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr Smith, originally from Somersham, had run a successful building business while Mrs Smith worked in domestic service. Mr Smith is also a former chairman of Chatteris Good Companions.

Mrs Smith said: “We had about 20 friends round to celebrate because it was my birthday as well. I have got buckets full of flowers!”