Tolerance, perserverance and a sense of humour - that’s what Jean and Astley Wylde say is the key to a happy and long marriage.

And they should know - they have just celebrated 70 years in wedded bliss.

Jean and Astley marked their platinum anniversary with a celebration at Holy Trinity Church last Friday, along with their family of five children, six of their eight grandchildren and many family friends and relatives.

Jean, 90, said: “It was fantastic. We’ve lived a long time and we’ve got so many friends from all the different places we’ve been in our lives.

“We received a card from our grandchildren, it read ‘you are an example of how to lead one’s life’ and that was lovely.”

The couple met in 1937 when they were in their teens - Jean, 18, and Astley, 19 – while working together at AA.

Sensing a clear attraction between them, a “cupid” friend arranged their first date. They met on a bench in Leicester Square each believing that the other had spoken to the friend.

Jean said: “She told me that Astley wanted to meet me on the bench and then she told Astley that I wanted to meet him there. Neither of us had actually said anything.”

But that first meeting led to a blossoming romance and they were married in 1939. At the wedding members of the ARP - Air Raid Precautions - where Jean worked at the time, held aloft an archway of swords.

Shortly after their honeymoon, a night at Richmond’s grand Petersham Hotel, Astley was conscripted into the army. Six weeks later war broke out, leading to a heartbreaking separation.

When the Richmond and Twickenham Times featured the couple’s diamond wedding anniversary, Jean said: “I was terrified and crying my eyes out at the thought of him going away. I was just 20.”

Before leaving to France, Astley fought for leave to visit his wife and their first newborn, Helen. Leave granted, he faced being shot and considered a deserter if he did not return within 48 hours.

Jean’s mother bought them a house on Townshend Road in 1942, where the couple reside to this day.

The couple, who received a card from the Queen to mark the special milestone on Monday, both agree that the sanctity of a long marriage is down to tolerance, perseverance and a sense of humour.

Astley, 91, said: “What I love most about her is she is willing to put up with me.

“I was well known for joking with my colleagues over the years, saying ‘I have a little problem with my wife – she understands me’.”

Jean said: “I love his integrity. He’s not a romantic man at all. I never really got jewellery and gold but he’s a very, very loyal chap.”