Couple celebrate 80th Wedding Anniversary

Britain’s longest married couple will celebrate their eightieth wedding anniversary this weekend.

Frank Milford, 100, and Anita Milford, 99, will celebrate by spending a quiet weekend together - like most of their days.

“At our age that’s all you need,” said Mr Milford. “Just us together, no big fuss.”

The pair will equal the record for being Britain’s longest married couple on Monday.

Percy and Florence Arrowsmith from Hereford were also married for 80 years.

The rarely achieved 80th anniversary is symbolised by oak.

And the secret to a successful marriage? Share a little kiss and cuddle every night before bed.

“It’s our golden rule,” Mrs Milford said. “Couples these days don’t last long because they often don’t take enough time for each other. There just isn’t enough respect - love is about give and take. Our advice to young couples would be to make time for a little romance every day.”

Mr Milford added: “To win over your sweetheart you need a dose of old fashioned chivalry and don’t let your standards slip. We do everything together even after nearly 80 years.”

The couple met in 1926 at a YMCA dance and wed two years later in east Cornwall. After the wedding, they went to see a Charlie Chaplin movie.

They had two children, Marie and Frank, who are now in their seventies

They lived in a three-bedroom bungalow for 70 years before deciding to move into a care home together in 2005.

But, even after 80 years, there are still daily squabbles.

“Not big rows, just the odd cross word,” said Mrs Milford. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s healthy.”

The couple wed in the same month that Walt Disney brought out a short animated film called Plane Crazy, which featured Mickey and Minnie Mouse for the first time.