A Letchworth couple are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary after 70 years of marriage.

The Comet: Barbara and George Mitchell celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with friends at Norton Hall Farm retirement complex.Barbara and George Mitchell celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with friends at Norton Hall Farm retirement complex. (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

George and Barbara Mitchell, who live at the Norton Hall Farm retirement complex, married in Stafford on April 5, 1947, when she was 24 and he was two years older.

Now 94 and 96, they have two children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren – and have been marking Wednesday’s big anniversary this weekend.

Asked what tips they would give to younger couples, Barbara said: “Learn to tolerate one another – and have different interests so you don’t clash all the time. Different friends and interests are a great help.”

George worked as an engineer on projects such as the Thunderbird missile, which was built in Stevenage, while Barbara taught at schools including Highover in Hitchin.

The Comet: Barbara and George Mitchell (on bench) celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with friends at Norton Hall Farm retirement complex.Barbara and George Mitchell (on bench) celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with friends at Norton Hall Farm retirement complex. (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

Keen painters, they were both members of the Letchworth Arts Society and the Heritage and Corner bridge clubs.

George was also a member of Letchworth Sports and Tennis Club and the 27 Club.