A PAIR of forces sweethearts from Stourport have been celebrating 70 years of married bliss together.

Gerald and Lillian Mann fell for each other when they met in Brecon, in Wales, when they were both in the army in 1947 and their whirlwind romance saw them married just a few months later.

It is a double celebration for the family this month as Canadian-born Mrs Mann also celebrates her 90th birthday on January 24.

The couple have a daughter Jackie Lawrence, son Kevin and six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

During his 22 years’ service in the army Mr Mann, who is from Kidderminster, served in Korea and was part of the physical training corps. After leaving the army, he became a training instructor working with the police to rehabilitate young offenders – a job he did for 20 years and was later awarded a British Empire Medal for.

Mrs Mann was part of the Auxiliary Territorial Service when she met her husband. Later she worked at Gilt Edge Carpets in Kidderminster.

Daughter Jackie said: “The secret to their success is the trust they have built up as well as the romance.”