A STROUD couple celebrated their milestone 70th Wedding Anniversary at the beginning of the month.

Mary and Lionel Jordan received a congratulatory card from the Queen after reaching the milestone on February 11, and they also celebrated Mary's 94th Birthday on Valentine's Day.

Close family joined the couple last Saturday at Resthaven Nursing Home in Pitchcombe for afternoon tea.

Mary, 94, sadly now suffers with Alzheimer’s and Lionel, 98, visits Resthaven nursing home every day.

The couple met in 1947 through a friend and they married in 1950 in Mary’s home town of Midsomer Norton, Somerset.

She trained at Gloucester Hospital and after a period as a district nurse she then worked at RHP as a nursing sister until retiring.

Lionel was in the Royal Gloucester Hussars for seven years during World War Two, and then worked as a mechanic and retired as a regional BT transport manager.

They have two children, eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren who were able to join the celebrations.

Mary and Lionel's granddaughter Lisa Jordan said: "It’s been an amazing retirement for them with shared interests and lots of happy memories, the highlight was cruising to Australia on the Canberra when the England cricket team were touring in 1982.

"They lived locally in Farmhill Lane for over 20 years and after retirement moved to Tuffley where they have been for over 30 years."