A WIDNES couple is celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

Muriel and Wallace Woods, both 93, were married in St Mary's Church in West Bank on May 15, 1948.

The couple will be marking their platinum milestone with their family at a special meal on Tuesday.

Marine engineer Wallace served in the RAF and went on to work at Ward Blenkinsop until his retirement in the late 1980s.

Wallace said: "It was quite an interesting job. I was in charge of the service department which covered the boilers and refrigeration."

Muriel, who used to enjoy knitting, worked as a scientific instrument calibrator at Towers in Widnes during the war.

When this company closed she moved to a shoe factory.

Keen gardener Wallace remembers crossing the River Mersey almost every day on the Old Transporter Bridge.

He has nothing but praise for the new Mersey Gateway.

"I think the new bridge is a marvellous achievement."

Asked if he had any advice for royal couple Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they are about to embark on married life, Wallace said: "It is not just about looking into each other's eyes. It is about looking in the same direction and looking the same way.

"We have been very fortunate. We have three wonderful children.

"We are looking forward to celebrating our anniversary. We have 15 relatives coming up from Cornwall."

The couple have three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.