Teenage sweethearts who travelled the world together are on the move once again as they mark their 70th wedding anniversary with a castle getaway.

Longfield couple Geoff and Betty Cloke met in their teens while both working in Gravesend and have enjoyed the best part of seven decades side-by-side.

Geoff, who turned 90 last month, met his wife Betty, 89, when he was 15 and she 14.

The pair had recently started work, him as an apprentice at Gravesend printing firm Schultz and Sons, in Milton Road, and her at Marks & Spencers, in New Road, where she would continue to work as a supervisor until into her 60s.

They initially enjoyed what Geoff described as an "on and off sort of courtship" with him being posted in Egypt for two years following the conclusion of the Second World War.

However, they would wed soon after his return, at St Peter & St Paul Church in Swanscombe , on August 19, 1950 and moved in together in Keary Road.

It was here the teenage sweethearts became popular local figures through their membership of Swanscombe Bowls Club.

Geoff became captain of the club while wife Betty complemented her prowess on the green with her culinary skills, whipping up cream horns and other delights for members.

Together they travelled the world, stopping off at exotic destinations across the globe including North Africa and Singapore.

For their 50th golden wedding anniversary in 2000, the couple were treated to a surprise trip on the Orient Express and enjoyed a party back home with friends and family at Bowater's Sports Club, in Nelson Road, Northfleet .

But perhaps the pair's favourite destination is Australia. Geoff and Betty used to take regular long-haul flights to visit her late brother who had emigrated in his youth as a "Ten Pound Pom".

The couple have made lots of friends there and even considered making the move down under themselves but decided to stay put to be with their growing family in Swanscombe .

Those numbers continue to rise and in total, they have three children, seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

As self-confessed "party people", family gatherings are a big affair with the couple often hosting all manner of different themed events through the years from neon club nights to pirate parties.

At these functions granddaughter Jennifer Goldsmith says there is no chance of any of them upstaging her style queen nan, Betty.

"My Nan is the best dressed person I know," the 37-year-old said. "We can never look as good as my Nan."

And while big bashes have been shelved during the lockdown, the couple have been continuing to safely socialise and have even nipped out to take advantage of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

And today the couple mark another landmark in the form of their platinum wedding anniversary, which represents 70 years together.

The pair plan to travel with son Trevor Cloke and daughters Loraine Crowley and Wendy Goldsmith for a Warner's break at Studley Castle Hotel near Stratford-Upon-Avon to enjoy a few days away at some point.

Trevor said: "They have done well to get where they are. All of the family keeps them busy."

Asked what the secret to a long marriage was, Geoff replied: "I think it is the fact we are opposites. I'm so laid back I'm almost horizontal and she's quick tempered.

"We tick along alright," he quipped, adding: "I did say to the wife last night about reaching 105."

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