WHEN Jack Wilkinson had to move into a care home his wife Doreen missed him so much that she made the move too just weeks later.

The pair now have adjoining rooms at Meadowbank House, Great Lever, and 93-year-old Jack and his 87-year-old wife have just celebrated their Platinum anniversary.

The couple’s 70 years of married life began after they started writing to each other during Second World War.

Their daughter, Karen Holding, told how Halifax-born Jack, who served in Italy and Egypt, was in the same unit as Doreen’s cousin and, after spotting her photograph, started sending her letters too.

They met up when he was on leave and, in 1948 when Doreen was just 17, they married and set up home in Daubhill.

Doreen worked in the mills and Jack as a butcher, becoming known far and wide as Jacky Butcher and not retiring until he was aged 75.

The couple had three children, Karen, her older sister Jackalyne,who died 14 years ago, and Tony and now also have five grandchildren, nine great-granddaughters and a great grandson.

Until moving into the home the devoted couple lived in Breightmet and were regulars at Breightmet Conservative Club, where Doreen played in the darts team.

To celebrate their special anniversary on February 4, a party was laid on at the home along with a cake, singer belting out Doreen’s favourite Frank Sinatra tunes and a card with congratulations from the Queen.

“It was lovely that they were both well enough to enjoy it,” said Mrs Holding.

“They were both on good form.”