A COUPLE celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary last week.

Joyce Rogers from Royal Wootton Bassett and her husband Dennis from Cornwall were married in Joyce's hometown on March 22 1946.

Dennis is one of the few surviving rear air gunners from the Second World War.

He met his wife when he was stationed in Bude and Joyce was on holiday in the town with her parents.

The lovebirds ended up on the same train carriage and hit it off from there.

The lived in various places around the country and returned to Swindon in 2007 to be nearer their family.

They have two sons, Christopher and Mike.

Dennis and Joyce celebrated their impressive anniversary at Quarry Mount Care Home with an afternoon tea party that had plenty of cake and cards, including a special card from Queen Elizabeth II.

The care staff put on a display of old photos and the family reminisced and shared fond memories.

Mike said: ''It was an excellent afternoon and we all enjoyed a lovely day.

"The manager, Karen, got us at big cake which was a lovely surprise.

"I think the secret to my parents' happy marriage is their ability to smile and compromise."