A Norfolk born-and-bred couple who still live less than five miles away from where they grew up, are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

Eastern Daily Press: June and Tommy Warnes on the chair and table set given to them from the family for their 70th anniversary. Pictures: David BaleJune and Tommy Warnes on the chair and table set given to them from the family for their 70th anniversary. Pictures: David Bale (Image: Archant)

June, 89, and Tommy Warnes, 95, were married at North Walsham registry office on March 19, 1949.

And 70 years later it's still Mrs Warnes biggest regret they did not marry in a church. They never had any honeymoon either, she said.

Mrs Warnes said: 'I had never had anything special to wear and we just had a cup of tea to celebrate.

'I worked for a family at Stalham Hall and I had to go there that night, so we did not have any wedding night either.'

Eastern Daily Press: The plaque on the chair and table set. Pictures: David BaleThe plaque on the chair and table set. Pictures: David Bale (Image: Archant)

The couple met over fish and chips after going roller-skating at Gorleston.

Their daughter Valerie Hughes, 56, said: 'Dad bought mum fish and chips and the rest is history.'

They have lived at their home in Stalham Green, which Mr Warnes built, since 1971.

At their previous home in Mill Cottages, they had an outside toilet which had to be emptied by night cart.

Eastern Daily Press: Tommy Warnes when he was in the army. Pictures: Warnes familyTommy Warnes when he was in the army. Pictures: Warnes family (Image: Archant)

Mr Warnes, who was a bricklayer, worked at Tooley and Youngs in Stalham and then Billie Bird in North Walsham, while his wife was an agent for 18 years at Royal Liver Assurance in Norwich.

Mr Warnes served in the army in Italy and Egypt during the Second World War. He has been hard of hearing ever since, as a mortar went off near him. On his 21st birthday he was in an Italian hospital with jaundice.

The couple still enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles together and Mr Warnes takes his wife a cup of tea in bed every morning.

Mrs Warnes is on the parochial church council in Sutton and a member of Sutton WI.

Eastern Daily Press: June Warnes as a young woman. Pictures: Warnes familyJune Warnes as a young woman. Pictures: Warnes family (Image: Archant)

Twenty-two family members celebrated the anniversary at the Norfolk Mead Hotel in Coltishall, and neighbours were invited for a cup of tea.

They had four children, Alan, 69, Shirley, 61, and Valerie, while their daughter Sally died when she was six. They have seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.