A CHANCE meeting led to a cherished marriage which has lasted for 70 years.

Rose Wissgott, 93, and her husband Rudy, 95, have celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary - a milestone reached by only one in a million couples in the UK.

The pair only met by chance at Rose's 21st birthday party at the Beech Tree in Barnton.

Rudy, born in Neiderode in Germany, was a prisoner of war at Marbury Camp.

Their daughter Monica Robinson said: "My grandma had organised the party but on the day some people couldn't come because they were sick so she phoned the camp to see if anyone would like to have the meals she had paid for.

"If my dad hadn't been the officers' driver, they would never have met. He had been asked to drive some of the English soldiers to her party."

Rudy had been shipped to America as a prisoner and was then hospitalised in Scotland for shrapnel wounds before being transferred to Marbury.

In his free time he tended to Rose's dad's garden and romance blossomed.

The couple married in Barton Church two years later, had two children Monica and Karl, and have lived in the village for 50 years.

Rudy worked for ICI until he retired 37 years ago, loading road tankers and boats that used to sail along the River Weaver.

Rose had some casual jobs and used to serve customers at Jolleys chemist in Northwich.

They both loved dancing until they were 90 and were members of the Breakaway club and still enjoy watching dances at Lostock Church hall.

"They are as bright as a button and are very interested in life," said Monica. "They've both got a very good sense of humour. Mother sees the funny side of most things and is very quick witted."

Rudy still grows vegetables and flowers and tends his greenhouse.

"You name it, he grows it," said Monica. "He is always taking cuttings. They do very well at cooking.

"Family comes first, above anything. Dad was 17 when he went to war and didn't know if his parents were alive for a few years."

The couple have four grandsons Derek, 45, Edward, 43, Paul, 31 and Robert 27, and six great grandchildren Isobel, 12, Scarlet, 10, Henry, eight, George, seven, Harry, seven and Darcy, five.

A celebration party was held on Saturday with 82 members of their family and friends at Winnington Park Recreation Club.

Instead of presents, the couple asked for donations to Coeliac UK as two of their great grandchildren have been diagnosed with the disease.

On their golden wedding, they requested money for St Luke's Hospice instead of gifts and on their diamond anniversary they donated money to the burns unit of a hospital where one of their great grandchildren had been treated.

"On each anniversary they have always given money to a worthy cause," said Monica. "They say they have everything they need.

"Dad's advice to me when I got married was that mum says what they should do and he does what he wants. He says this has worked very well for 70 years!

"They are content with one another."