Bingo-loving Black Country couple celebrate platinum 70th wedding anniversary at beloved Mecca club in Brierley Hill - and win

The pair, from Pensnett, have had five children, even fostered, travelled together, and shared a lot of laughs and good times.

Mary was just 17 when she met Lewis, who was 20 at the time.

The pair met as Mary was friends with Lewis's sister, Ruby. Mary, who grew up in Cradley Heath, went to her friend Ruby's house one evening and on that particular night Lewis drove her home.

They subsequently went on an outing to "the pictures" and the rest is history.

Mary and Lewis married in 1956 at Netherton Church, in the area where Lewis grew up.

Mary was just 18 at the time and he had just turned 22.

Mary was working in a factory when she met Lewis, and went on to have various jobs including a checkout supervisor at Asda before becoming a social worker until retirement.

Lewis worked as a steel erector and even went to Iran for three months for work.

He was made redundant at 59, but one of his daughters Julie Willis, 64, found him another job working with steel at Pensnett Trading Estate - where he worked until he was 71.

He also did many odd jobs around the beloved pub The Fountain Inn in Gornal.

The couple had two boys and three girls, and on top of this, fostered many children and even adopted one. Now the pair have many great-grandchildren.

Their oldest son Peter, 69, currently lives in Texas and has two children and one great-grandchild, while Christopher, 61, lives in Manchester. He has five daughters and five grandchildren.

Their three girls include Julie Willis, 64, who has three children and two grandchildren, with one on the way, and Susan Pope, 66, who has one child and three grandchildren.

The couple sadly lost their daughter Donna Nock in 2007. She was 34 when she passed away but is survived by her child. 

Lewis and Mary adopted Joanne Nock who is now 60. She had three children and has eight grandchildren.

Julie told the Express & Star her parents loved to go on holiday, especially Benidorm.

She said they used to take Mary's mum away with them to the likes of Benidorm and Mallorca and also on caravan holidays in the UK.

She added: "They always looked after us. When we were kids we wanted horses and so we got three horses."

Julie said her parents always did a lot of things together and have always loved going to Mecca Bingo in Brierley Hill every Tuesday night - so much so, the couple chose to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Tuesday at their beloved bingo hall.

Lewis even won £100 and Mary £15 - they were both thrilled.

The family also celebrated Mary and Lewis's anniversary with a meal at The Meadow Lark restaurant in Dudley on Monday evening, and are having a big party this weekend.

The couple received two telegrams from the Queen for their 60th and 65th anniversaries - and now they have received one from King Charles for their 70th.

When asked what the secret is to their long-lasting marriage Lewis simply said: "Always agree with whatever she says!"