A husband and wife have celebrated their landmark anniversary - 70 years after tying the knot.

Ann and Russell Thomas, who live in Malvern, celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary on Wednesday (August 28) having tied the knot in 1954.

Mrs Thomas even wore the same dress that she had worn when she first met her would-be husband Russell.

She said: "I'm a sentimental person. I like to hold onto things and I have always kept it with me.

"It's made of lace and it's a lovely dress.

"I did have it adjusted a bit though," she joked, "We had a lovely evening celebrating with our daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren - it went very well."

Their granddaughter, Penelope Anstey, said: "They have always done everything together.

"They even had pace makers fitted within three weeks of each other about three years ago.

"So it's a bit of a running joke between the family."

Ann and Russell first met two years before their wedding at a ballroom dance evening at Ludlow Town Hall, which has since been demolished.

Mrs Thomas said: "We are both ballroom dancers and that's where we first met - I think we went dancing again just a few nights later.

"He's fantastic. The most wonderful husband that I could have ever had.

"We can have strong disagreements on things, but we never argue with each other."

On the platinum couple, Mrs Anstey added: "They're such welcoming, loving people.

"They have always been very protective over their family though, and have always seen the best in people."

Ann and Russell got married at Leominster Registry Office before raising two daughters in Ludlow.

On Wednesday night (August 28) the pair were able to celebrate their landmark anniversary with four granddaughters and six great grandchildren at the assistant living residence in Cartwright Court, Malvern.

Mrs Thomas said: "Me and Russell have a lot of friends in Cartwright Court and it has got a lovely big lounge.

"But we were barred from entering it in the day, which was strange.

"We eventually twigged though and it was a wonderful surprise to see them all."