MALVERN couple Kathleen and Harold Lock will be celebrating 70 years of happy marriage on Wednesday (April 14).

The couple, who were both born locally and have lived in Malvern nearly all their lives, will be celebrating their platinum anniversary with a cream tea at the Kettle Sings followed by a glass of champagne at their home in Crown Lea Avenue.

They will be joined in their celebrations by their daughter Robina, grand-children Holly and Nicholas and great grand-children Zoe, Toby and Archie, all of who live in the Malvern area.

Mr and Mrs Lock, who are aged 94 and 97 respectively, first met when they were both invited to join a mixed hockey side that played in Malvern on Sunday afternoons.

They married in Christ Church and have lived in their current home for the last 58 years.

Mr Lock was a captain in the Royal Army Service Corps during the war, and later enjoyed a long career as an accountant with the West Midlands Gas Board.

Mrs Lock was a highly skilled tailoress, making flying outfits during the war and going on to work on many exclusive commissions, including many for wedding parties.

Mr Lock is a secretary, treasurer and president of Malvern Rugby Club, and as a life-member he still gets out to games when the weather permits.

Discussing the secret of their long-lasting marriage, Mrs Lock called her husband her “best darling.”

“He is a lovely person right from A to Z,” she said.

Mr Lock added: “It has always been a partnership. My wife has always been loyal and somebody I can rely on.”