A HAPPILY married couple are celebrating 70 years of wedded bliss and say the secret is patience and humour.

Leigh couple Doreen and John Harley got married on September 15 in 1951 and their family says of all the dreams they had, little did they think they would still be going strong 70 years later.

Doreen married John in Chingford at Our Lady of Grace and St Teresa’s wearing a cloque leaf-patterned white dress and carrying a bouquet of red roses and white carnations.

They both still like to keep as active as possible. John, who is 96, loves nothing better than to beat his grandchildren at the Belfairs pitch-and-put course.

Doreen, 94, enjoys the Keep Active courses which are just re-starting after Covid. They will be joined at their celebration by their six children, 13 grand children and four great-grandchildren.

Loving Pauline Leftley said: “They will receive a special blessing from Monseigneur Kevin Hale at a mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Leigh on September 26.

“When asked for the secret of a long and happy marriage John said patience and Doreen said a sense of humour.

“A combination of those two adds up to 70 years. Congratulations to you both and may you have many more happy and healthy years.”