Edith Hodges and Edward Mattingly fell in love in the aftermath of the war.

Now, they have celebrated 70 years of wedded bliss and marked their platinum anniversary with a party with friends and family.

Edith, 89 - better known as Bobbie - and, Edward, 92 - who goes by Ted - began dating aged 18 and 21, and married six months later on July 31, 1948.

They had known each other beforehand through Bobbie's brother, Fred, who happened to be Ted's best friend.

In the 1960s, the pair moved to Cliftonville and set up the first of three greengrocers in Northdown Road, called Country Gardens.

But their love story began in Brixton, where they married at St Matthew's Church.

Their first son, Neil, was born a year later, with their second, Richard, following 18 months later.

Ted worked in Alwich in London for gas firm West Group, where he worked his way from clerk to production manager, overseeing many gasworks being built over his 22 years there.

The couple's third son, Steven, was also born during that time.

In the early 1960s, Ted quit his job in the city and opened a greengrocers in Beckenham.

A year later the family moved to Thanet, setting up the greengrocer in Northdown Road.

Ted ran the shop alongside his sons, while Bobbie became an adept florist.

Their daughter, Amanda, who was born in 1968, said: "They would put on beautiful displays of fruit and vegetables to entice both locals and holiday makers, as well as supplying most of the hotels in the area at the time when Cliftonville was at its peak."

The family soon moved from a home above the shop to Leicester Avenue, and then onto Wingham and Studdal, near Dover, where they ran a family stamp business.

In 1980s, they headed back to Cliftonville, and the couple still live in the Palm Bay area.

As the years have gone by, their family has grown to now include 11 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild - with recent news of another on the way.

They celebrated their landmark anniversary at the Walpole Bay Hotel with many of their family.

Bobbie said: "We have such a beautiful family, and it was so lovely spending our special day with them."

Amanda added: "With five birthdays, two more anniversaries and a graduation all within a week, it was a very special celebration for all the family.

"Our thanks go to Jane and her team at The Walpole Bay who were perfect hosts, providing a stunning location, piano accompaniment, and wonderful food enjoyed by all.

"My parents are very supportive of the family and all we do, and it was a great opportunity to say thank you to them for all they have done for us."