The world has changed in many ways over the past 70 years but one thing has been constant – the love between Jim and Nancy Tate.

Eastern Daily Press: Jim and Nancy Tate on their wedding day in 1946.Jim and Nancy Tate on their wedding day in 1946. (Image: Archant)

The couple, from Drayton, were treated to a platinum wedding party by family, friends and staff at the Woodland Care Home in Hellesdon, where 90-year-old Mrs Tate has lived since she had a stroke in 2010.

Mr Tate, 94, still lives at the house in Cator Road they shared for 60 years.

He said they were both delighted with the party. 'They really feted us,' he said. 'It was really unexpected.'

Mr Tate said there was a simple formula for a successful marriage.

'You have got to respect your marriage vows, firstly,' he said. 'There might be lows in your life but you mustn't be too despondent because there is a silver lining in every cloud.

'There might be ups in your life as well but you mustn't be to excited about those, because what goes up must come down.

'And, if you want to reach your platinum anniversary, make sure you marry somebody who has got 70 years left on the clock.'

Mr Tate said clean living and a steady heart also had something to do with their endurance.

He said: 'We never smoked and we haven't given much support to the brewers either, and we never bought anything that we couldn't pay for.

'We still love each other very much.'

They met in Drayton in 1941, at the height of the Second World War. Mr Tate was in the army's Rifle Brigade and Mrs Tate was working at an egg packing station in Taverham.

Mr Tate was later transferred to the military police, and served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, rounding up German prisoners and escorting them back from the front.

He said: 'I came back from Germany in the spring of 1946 and married Nancy. So we have been together for 75 years now.'

After the war Mr Tate became a lorry driver, doing night time deliveries for 30 years. He also worked at a mill, and after he retired became a lollipop man for 15 years.

He said of his final occupation: 'It was a fantastic job and I loved it.'

Mrs Tate bought up their four children and they also now have five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.