A COUPLE whose eyes met across a bar are celebrating their platinum anniversary after 70 years of marriage.

Iris and Arthur Hunt, who live in Cleveland Lodge care home, near Rowhedge, met in 1945.

Arthur, 94, a former carpenter, said: “I was having a drink in the Nag’s Head in Halstead. I saw Iris across the bar and it carried on from there.”

The couple married shortly afterwards, in May, 1945 at Holy Trinity Church, in Halstead.

They have spent most of their 70 years together in Halstead – mainly living in Trinity Street.

Iris, 93, who worked as a weaver, was born in the town and was christened in the same church where they married.

Arthur was born in Warwickshire and had six brothers and three sisters. He was in the Royal Air Force during the war, being stationed at Gosfield as a glider pilot.

The Horsa gliders stationed at the airfield took part in Operation Varsity – the largest airborne operation in history.

Keen gardener Arthur said: “It has been a happy marriage – we got on well enough.

“We used to argue sometimes though. We never had any children.

“I suppose the secret to a long marriage is being happy together.”