A husband and wife who were diagnosed with cancer have been celebrating after they both beat the disease.

Robert and Sally Jolley said it was a "wonderful day" as they rang the end-of-treatment bell together in Maidstone Hospital.

The pair have lived in the same house in Walderslade, Chatham, for 50 years and met when they were teenagers.

Sally, 82, said: "I was 17-years-old and we belonged to the same youth club. I did netball and Robert played cricket at the Oakwood Youth Club.

"We got married in 1962 and have together for 60 years."

In January, 2018, Robert was diagnosed with throat cancer.

"He initially lost his voice, and I actually made him take my yearly check-up appointment at the doctors," Sally said. "I was worried about him."

"Luckily he was diagnosed quicker because of it."

The 84-year-old had to go back and forth to the hospital 32 times for radiotherapy.

Sally added: "It's not a pleasant experience. He had to wear a white plastic mask which covered his throat, face and shoulders.

"It was a very hot summer and was quite horrendous – he still has marks on his face on where the plastic was."

In a second blow for the couple, Sally was diagnosed with breast cancer in April this year.

"I want people to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel..."

She said: "I had a lump over Christmas and didn't think anything of it. I believed it was just a pulled muscle.

"My daughter Rachel made me promise to get an appointment and turns out it was cancer.

"At the hospital the doctors decided to do radiotherapy, as chemotherapy is very intrusive and not good for someone of my age."

The couple supported one another through treatment, as they fought their separate battles with cancer.

Sally said: "Robert lost his taste throughout his treatment and I had to buy him creamed foods so he didn't lose weight.

"When I was diagnosed I didn't feel as scared. I knew what to expect, where the facilities were and what to do."

On May 5, Sally had a mastectomy. She was in recovery all day with her husband and daughter by her side.

"I blocked the whole thing out of my memory," she said. "I only remember walking down to the operation theatre.

"It was a bit frightening. I was asked by a young nurse if I was worried and I said I didn't particularly want to die."

Having both been given the all-clear, Sally and Robert rang the cancer-free bell at Maidstone Hospital earlier this month.

"You can easily get so down. I especially did because I also lost my sister to breast cancer."

Sally added: "It was wonderful, I was just so pleased that we could do it together."

The photo, which has been posted on Facebook, was met with thousands of likes and hundreds of comments.

One person said: "Best photo ever!"

Another commented: "Well done and congratulations to you all. You are all amazing and so are the wonderful staff who make it happen."

Sally says it was "heartwarming" to see people's reaction.

"I hope it can give someone else a boost," she said.

"You can easily get so down. I especially did because I also lost my sister to breast cancer.

"When you first arrive, you are so uptight and don't know what to expect. The staff make you relax and feel at ease about the whole thing.

"It's inspiration for other people, to let them know that there is light at the end of the tunnel."