Lifetime of love after monkey run

A chance meeting on the "monkey run" in Wolverhampton has led to a lifetime of love for a couple celebrating their landmark platinum wedding anniversary.

Lawrence and Kathleen Jones, both 93, of Underhill, first met in Dudley Street in 1935. Now, marking 70 years of marriage, they say their love has stood the test of time by sticking together during ups and downs.

Mrs Jones said: "In those days all the boys and girls would congregate in Dudley Street and walk up and down, talking to each other.

"We called it the monkey run and that is how we met. We got chatting and struck up a friendship."

The pensioner, a former pupil at Holy Trinity School, Heath Town, and her husband, from Telford, wed three years later in his home town. Shortly afterwards he was called up to serve with the Royal Marines in the Second World War. "It was awful waiting for him to come home but there was nothing else I could do, like so many women at that time," Mrs Jones told the Express & Star as she celebrated her big day yesterday.

After he returned, the couple had their only child, daughter June, now aged 64. The family has continued to swell over the years with two grandchildren, Alison, 39, and Catherine, 36, five great-grandchildren, Abigail, 17, Lydia, 15, Harry, 12, Reece, 13, and Jake, eight. Mrs Jones added: "It is a very long time to be married. The secret to a long, happy marriage is that despite your ups and downs, you stick together. If your love is strong enough, it will take you through."