75 years after their wedding, a pair are set to celebrate their anniversary – and insist the secret is never going to bed on an argument.

Matthew and Patricia McDonald met in the Railway Tavern Stanford-le-Hope in March 1943, Matthew was on shore leave from his ship the “El Grillo”, berthed in Thames Haven.

Patricia was living in Stanford-le-Hope at the time, where the pair still live, and was visiting a friend returning from leave to the WRAF.

Falling head over heels for each other, they met on a Monday and were engaged by the Saturday.

They married in St Joseph’s Church in Scratton Road Stanford-le-Hope on June 13, 1943, the marriage ceremony was a simple affair and was officiated by parish priest Fr Snell.

Matthew and Patricia went on to have 5 children, 4 boys and a girl, 13 Grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 7 great/great grandchildren.

Son Kyran said: “They are very independent and continue to do their own shopping etc.

“They say the secret of such a long marriage is having patience and never going to bed on an argument.”