A couple received their second card from the Queen as they celebrated 65 years of marriage.

Pat and Brian Smith marked their special milestone this month.

The couple met on a blind date in Tilbury, Essex, when Brian was stationed close by doing his National Service.

He caught tuberculosis shortly after and decided to propose to Pat from his hospital bed in Surrey.

The 87-year old and his wife, 84, now live in Orion Road, Rochester, and have a beautiful family of two children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

When asked what would be the secret to a long-lasting marriage, Brian said: "Sharing love and trust and having shared interests".

Pat immediately jumped in, with tongue in cheek: “He always says 'yes, dear'", and added they had been "glued together" since they met.

The couple's daughter, Pauline, lives in America and was sad she could not celebrate the joyous occasion with her parents on their anniversary on August 3.

She said: "I think that it is a huge milestone. They have always had a positive attitude. They always put others first.

"They were so excited to have their 60th anniversary recognized with a card from the Queen. This time will be even more memorable.

"They have been devoted and supportive of each other throughout the years. They have each had the same positive attitude to life. They make friends easily and are always the first to lend a hand."

However, Pauline's daughter, Sarah, now lives in the UK and has great memories of her grandparents.

She said: "My grandparents have always had a love for learning about people, places and cultures, making them the perfect adventure buddies.

"Over the years we have visited national parks in the US, eaten our way through Paris, had our own walking tour of Geneva and, most recently, I had the pleasure of joining them on their first Uber ride in London.

"With each adventure comes a certain amount of travel mishaps, but with my grandparents, humor and positivity prevails."