'Our secret to a happy marriage...'

PAM AND IAN CELEBRATE PLATINUM ANNIVERSARY

- ANDY PHILLIPS

A PLYMOUTH couple have shared their secrets of a happy marriage after reaching their 70th wedding anniversary.

Ian and Pam Carmichael, who have lived in Southway for more than 65 years, were married at St Boniface Church Hall off Victoria Road in St Budeaux, on February 6, 1954.

It was a service which had been delayed from the previous summer as Pam's father was on deployment with the Royal Navy.

The couple had planned to go to Bournemouth for their honeymoon, but opted for London instead as it was winter.

Now in their 90s, the couple went on to have four children - two sons and two daughters - who have since delivered 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

They are even expecting to welcome a great-great-grandchild this summer.

Pam told The Herald: "We were going to get married the year before in June, but my father was in the Navy, and the Korean War was on, so he was away. So I had to wait for him to get home, as I wanted him to come to my wedding, so we didn't get married until February the following year. And instead of going to Bournemouth we went to London because it was February!"