Married penpals celebrate 70 years together

A couple who began their relationship as penpals are celebrating 70 years of marriage.

Ruth Kirkham started writing to her future husband while he was serving in the RAF, the Express and Star reports.

They corresponded to each other for nine months before meeting in the flesh and the twosome has not looked back since.

Ms Kirkham observed they first came face-to-face when her partner was on leave and, after a short courtship, he proposed.

Shortly after they wed, Mr Kirkham was called back to the army and they did not see each other for another three-and-a-half years.

"We continued to write to one another but it was hard. We had a day-and-a-half of married life before he left," she added.

The female noted that although they were apart at the start, they have made up for it by having a "wonderful life" and have been happy ever since.

Posted by Simon Williams