A pair of Isle of Wight childhood sweethearts celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary - that's 70 years! - last week. 

Brian and Noreen Buckett, from Cowes, knew eachother through their families being friends, and were married on August 8, 1953, at Mill Hill Road Methodist Church.

Brian, 91, the only son of Muriel and Edwin Buckett, was born at his grandparents’ home at Calbourne Railway Station, where his grandfather was station master.

Following his education, he started naval training and spent over 14 years serving on much of the naval fleet.

Isle of Wight County Press: Brian and Noreen Buckett on their wedding day on August 8, 1953Brian and Noreen Buckett on their wedding day on August 8, 1953 (Image: Lynn-Marie Anstey)

He was a crew member on the aircraft carrier HMS Warrior when it carried out the first hydrogen bomb tests in the Pacific.

Leaving the Navy in 1962, he worked as a clerk in the family sub post office business until 1966, when he joined the British Hovercraft Corporation until his retirement in 1992.

Noreen, 89, grew up in Cowes with her parents, Osmar and Marie Carter, running the Medina Post Office on York Street.

She attended York Street Infant School, Denmark Road and Cowes Secondary Modern.

Isle of Wight County Press: Brian and Noreen Buckett on their 70th wedding anniversary Brian and Noreen Buckett on their 70th wedding anniversary (Image: Lynn-Marie Anstey)

After leaving school, she was employed in the office of Marvin's Estate Agents and Gordon Burke Solicitors as a probate secretary, retiring in 1983.

Brian and Noreen have shared a lifelong love for their golden retrievers, walked many a mile and cared for them unconditionally.

Brian was a member of the Isle of Wight Canine Association and a trainer with the Isle of Wight Dog Training Society.

His other interests include painting and gardening, and more recently, he joined the committee for Cowes Cemetery.

Noreen also enjoys selecting flowers for the garden and has been an active member of the Cowes Methodist Church and the Beckford Centre.

The couple has a daughter, Lynn-Marie, son-in-law Mike, grandchildren Gemma and Nick, and a great-granddaughter, Aurelia.

A family gathering was held to celebrate their amazing achievement, and the pair received a congratulatory message from King Charles III.