A Beccles couple have celebrated a new landmark after reaching 70 years of marriage.

Eastern Daily Press: Peter and Vera Hutton on their anniversary. Picture courtesy of Kath Hutton.Peter and Vera Hutton on their anniversary. Picture courtesy of Kath Hutton. (Image: Archant)

Peter and Vera Hutton celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary recently with a quiet family get together.

The duo were delighted to receive a card of good wishes from The Queen to mark the big day.

Their daughter Kath Hutton said: 'They have discovered the magic formula to a long and happy marriage. Despite their health troubles, they are still in love and Vera has always said that you should never go to sleep on an argument.'

Mr Hutton was born in Reydon in 1923 and at the age of 16 during the Second World War, he became part of the Home Guard, before joining the Royal Navy at 18.

He served as an ASDIC rating overseas in Eygpt and South Africa and then in HMS Croziers.

Following the war he returned to work in the building trade.

Mrs Hutton was born in Southwold in 1925 to an old maritime family.

She trained as a tailor with Denny of Southwold.

The couple met at a village hall dance and Mr Hutton walked her home. They were married in Southwold Church on March 29, 1947.

The family moved to Aldeby when Mr Hutton was offered a position as foreman with Waveney Apple Growers to build the controlled atmosphere fruit stores.

Over this period, Mrs Hutton ran the Aldeby post office while her husband was a church Warden.

They eventually moved to Beccles to be closer to schools for their children.

Since then they have both been very involved with the Beccles Sea Cadets.

Mr Hutton helped to build the unit headquarters while his wife was involved in fundraising.

Mrs Hutton worked as a tailor for several gentlemen's outfitters in Beccles and was also a member of the Beccles and District Flower Arranging Club and was in the Townswomen's Guild.

Today, Mrs Hutton is cared for at St Georges care home while Mr Hutton lives at home and was a keen bowler at the Beccles and District Bowls Club.

They have three children, two granddaughters and six great grandchildren.