A couple born two doors away from each other, just two days apart, have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

David and Enid Janaway, both 88, were unaware of each other when growing up in Downs Road, Walmer.

Having both been evacuated to Wales during the Second World War, they only made the link that they were neighbours when swimming in the sea on Walmer Beach as teenagers.

When they were courting Mr Janaway would regularly wait for his love until she arrived on her train home from Folkestone Technology School.

He then joined the Royal Navy but returned from a 13-month tour in China to marry his sweetheart on March 5,1949.

They wed in a small ceremony at Victoria Road Baptist Church followed by a reception in the church hall.

Mrs Janaway wore her friend’s wedding dress and they enjoyed a one-day honeymoon to Canterbury, travelling by bus.

“We had a lovely day but I remember we didn’t have enough money for a cup of tea,” she said.

The birth of daughter Carol marked the start of their family in December 1949, followed by Vanessa, Clarissa and Adrian who sadly died in 2012, aged 56. They have 13 grandchildren.

Mr Janaway left the Royal Navy, aged 26, and spent the rest of his career at Dover Harbour Board.

Mrs Janaway worked at both Deal and Whitfield Tesco.

They celebrated the occasion with lunch at Dunkerley’s Restaurant with their family and were delighted to receive a card from Her Majesty The Queen by special delivery.

Their secret is “Just being friends with each other all of the time,” said Mrs Janaway.

Mr Janaway added: “You’ve got to love each other, care for the other person when they’re ill and share your life together, including money. We’ve never argued about money.

“If you’ve got those three things, you’re made.”

They have lived in Palmerstone Avenue for the past 60 years.