A couple are today celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

Lorna, 90, and Raymond Klagge, 89, of South Avenue in Chingford, got married in 1943 at St Peter and St Pauls Church in Chingford. 

The couple first met attending a 'monkey parade' in Chingford in 1940.

A monkey parade was a social event where groups of men and women would meet up along the parade and go dancing.

"I wouldn't say it was love at first sight, I had my eye on one of his mates in fact,” Mrs Klagge confessed.

"But after we went on a few dates, I knew he was the one.”

The platinum couple dated for more than two years before they tied the knot on a rainy Saturday afternoon in November 1943.

The secret to a happy marriage, says Mrs Klagge, is the strength to get through hard times – and to be able to laugh together. 

She added: "When you have ups and downs you work together to get through them and, whenever there is an argument, you make sure not to fall out of love.

"I think the key to our marriage has also been to maintain a good sense of humour."

Mr and Mrs Klagge will be celebrating their anniversary on Sunday with their two daughters, Rona and Cheryl, and family.