A COUPLE who were evacuated to the same school but did not meet until five years later celebrated 70 years of married life together on Tuesday (April 23).

William and Winifred Andrews, both 93, of Hill Top Lodges, New Hutton, near Kendal, had been at the same school at Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, in 1940, but did not know one another. Five years later, on St Patrick's Day, they met at a dance at Mitcham Baths Hall in south London.

During the war Mr Andrews was an RAF instrument technician. He wanted to fly but was colour blind. He completed his service with the RAF in Gibraltar in 1947. She worked for an insurance company in London and the pair corresponded by letter.

They were married at Mitcham Parish Church on April 23 1949. The couple have two children - Carol, 64, and Vivien, 61- and two grandsons.

Mr Andrew went on to teach French and PE at Balham Central School followed by jobs at various middle schools in south London. His wife was school secretary at Sherwood Primary School, Mitcham. They both retired on the same day in 1985 and 16 years later moved to Crook, near Kendal, to be near their grandsons.

Over the years they have shared their hobbies and in 1950 cycled to Paris. They spent school holidays camping with their daughters in Europe.

Mr Andrews' s said his recipe for a long and happy marriage was: "An interest in each other and most of all friendship." His wife said it was important to have a sense of humour and to be tolerant of each other.

They marked their special day with a family party at the Low Wood Hotel in Ambleside.