A COUPLE who tied the knot 70 years ago today are celebrating their special day surrounded by four generations of their family.

Eva and Beresford Reynolds, of Bolton, are marking the occasion with a tea party and anniversary cake.

It was a chance meeting at Bolton’s former Aspin Hall ballroom that sparked the relationship.

And Mrs Reynolds, aged 89, says ‘never going to bed on an argument’ is the secret to their long marriage.

Jamaican-born Mr Reynolds, aged 93, attended Kingston College before enlisting with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and coming to Britain.

He had grown up in the west Jamaican town of Negril, where his father was a fisherman and during wartime, he was posted in Scotland, before moving to Bolton.

Daughter Karen Rodely, aged 59, said: “My dad was a bit of a lad himself.

“He came to Bolton with friends who all went to a dance hall where he met my mum.

“Aspin Hall allowed mixed-race people to dance. Life was not easy back then."

Mrs Reynolds was aged 19, and Mr Reynolds aged 23, when they were married at Bolton’s Register Office.

At first, they lived with family, before moving to a prefabricated home in Tonge Moor.

They then upsized to a property in Hibernia Street, which was where Mrs Rodely and her three siblings were born.

“My dad is the most wonderful man," said Mrs Rodely.

“He is a true gentleman. He has Alzheimer’s, and was moved to Grange Lea Residential Care Home just six weeks ago.

“But the carers say they would have a dozen of him.”

Mrs Reynolds spent most of her working life in the spinning mills, working at both Dove Mill and Croal Mill for Littlewoods.

She later worked as a dinner lady, while Mr Reynolds was employed as a general labourer at former cotton mill complex Swan Lane Mills until his retirement.

The couple have known tragedy in their lives with their son, Bryan, aged 49, dying suddenly and unexpectedly due to epilepsy three years ago.

“My brother was always with them so it was a really hard time," said Mrs Rodely.

"It was just after they had been given two granddaughters.”

The couple have nine great grandchildren and five grandchildren.

As a celebration of their 70-year marriage, the couple received a special card from the Queen.

“My mum was thrilled when they received a card from the Queen," said Mrs Rodely. “They arranged for it to come on December 22 to avoid any Christmas post delays.”