A COUPLE have reached a rare milestone in their marriage by marking their platinum anniversary.

The loving Padiham couple, Douglas and Eleanor Butterworth recently marked 70 years of marriage.

They celebrated by spending a long weekend in Blackpool surrounded by family and friends, some of whom had travelled thousands of miles to be there.

When the couple married in 1948 Clement Atlee was the Labour prime minister and the country was still experiencing rationing in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Eleanor, 91, said: “We’ve had plenty of ups and downs throughout our married life, but we still love each other very much.

“The reason we’ve been together so long is due to the fact that whenever Douglas shouts at me, I never listen!”

They met in 1944 at a ballroom at St James’s Hall in Burnley. The couple, who live in a Calico sheltered property, married four years later.

Elaine Walsh, Calico Homes independent living officer, said: “Douglas and Eleanor are truly an inspiration.

"I think 70 years together is fantastic – to be honest, I’ve never known anyone to have celebrated that many years of marriage!

“We’re really pleased for them and hope they have many happy years still to come.”

They both worked different jobs all throughout their lives, with Douglas, 90, as a miner, and Eleanor as a sewing machinist when they met.

They also ran an off-licence together in Accrington for some time.

The devoted couple also have three children, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

One of their sons lives in Oman in the Middle East, while his daughter lives in Cyprus, but nothing stopped the family celebrating the occasion together as both travelled to Blackpool for the anniversary.

The couple are in very good company by reaching the seven-decade milestone. Last year, the Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary.