A COUPLE who liked the look of each other after passing in the street are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary. Frederick and Dolly Owen, from Great Stukeley, are celebrating 70 years of marriage. They met in Shrewsbury High Street when Dolly

A COUPLE who "liked the look of each other" after passing in the street are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary.

Frederick and Dolly Owen, from Great Stukeley, are celebrating 70 years of marriage. They met in Shrewsbury High Street when Dolly was 18 and Frederick was 21.

Frederick, 95, said: "Me and my pal walked past Dolly and her friend and we both turned back to have another look at them and they had also turned back to get another look at us. We knew then that this was our signal to talk to them.

"We spoke to them and arranged to meet up the next day and it was as simple as that. I thought Dolly was really nice looking and I still do."

Dolly, 92, admitted it was the uniform which attracted her to her husband.

"He was so handsome in his Grenadier Guards uniform.

"All men look good in uniforms but Frederick looked particularly handsome. Besides, my friend wanted his sailor friend so I got the soldier."

The couple were married four years later on June 6, 1936 at St Mary's Church in Waterloo, Liverpool.

Frederick, who was born in Shrewsbury, and Dolly, who was born in Shropshire, moved to Huntingdon 30 years ago when Frederick was given a job with Huntingdon police where he remained until he retired.

Prior to joining the force, Frederick was in the Grenadier Guards for four years during which he was captured and detained in South Africa for a short period. When he escaped he was awarded a medal for bravery after saving a number of soldiers from the desert.

Dolly was a hairdresser in Shrewsbury but gave up her profession to be a wife and a mother.

The couple have two sons, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The couple enjoy watching Countdown together and fighting over who gets to finish the crossword.

"I have to share the crosswords with Frederick as he gets really annoyed if I do it all myself. We have a system where I do the code breakers and Frederick does the rest - that way we are both happy."

And the secret to a long and happy marriage? Frederick said: "I think the key is good health, as without that we wouldn't be here today.

"We have both always eaten well as junk food didn't exist when we were young. Another key is to always remember and honour your wedding vows."

The couple will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary with a family party in Great Stukeley on Saturday.