A Kent couple insist they've never had an argument in 40 years of marriage, even though they share the same workplace.

Paul and Joanne Seymour say that despite working for the last 12 years in the same office on the maternity ward of Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, they've never once raised their voices at each other.

If they do have a difference of opinion, they will debate it and "agree to disagree".

"When you're best friends, friends don't argue,” said Paul, 65.

"We don't get to the point where our friendship could be fractured because we're sticking to our guns on something.

"It's not that we agree on everything, but life is too short to have any arguments. We agree to disagree - that's the way it usually goes.

"If we come to loggerheads, we respect each other's view on it."

Joanna, 63, says it takes a lot to get her riled up.

"Both of us are quite laid back,” said the midwife.

"We're friends as well as being husband and wife.

"We're quite spontaneous - it makes life interesting.

"Occasionally, we disagree, but we never shout."

Paul and Joanne married in July 1984 after initially meeting on a blind date set up by friends a year earlier.

At the time, Joanne was a trainee midwife and Paul was an undertaker.

Now they are never too far from each other's sights as they have worked in the same office for the past 12 years.

Paul said: "Jo is a very intense person when it comes to her work.

"We keep it professional in the office."

Paul, who works as a clinical systems manager, admits he is a "soft touch" and the pair have a "symbiotic relationship" in the workplace and in their relationship to help them go without arguments.

"If she wants something, I'll do it,” he continued.

"It's a symbiotic relationship."

Paul has struggled with his health for the last 40 years and has diabetes and coronary artery disease.

He said: "When you've been close to death, it puts it into a new perspective.

"We're lucky. We've seen lots of friends have big blow-out arguments, and they won't talk to each other for days - it's rather pointless.

"We rise above it."

The couple also believe that not having children helps stop arguments.

Joanne said: "We don't have that argument over money to put shoes on kids' feet."

If they do have a difference of opinion, Paul says he often breaks any tension with a joke.

He said: "I'm known as the humorous one and the romantic.

"I make her laugh and it breaks the iciness - within reason."

He encourages others to "put their points of view across" when debating but if they can't find a solution to not get hung up and "go have a drink".

Paul said: "We've never encountered such a sticking point were it's become an issue in the relationship.

"We love each other a great deal."

Joanne added: "I don't think you resolve things through arguing.

"Laugh and be a bit spontaneous. It's that give and take."