A SOUTHAMPTON couple are celebrating their platinum anniversary since they first said their vows in 1950.

Millbrook residents Pete, 92, and Fay Hatch, 88, got married two years after they met on a blind date set up by their friends.

The date fell into place after Pete came back from sea to bring back Australian prisoners of war for essential work in 1948.

After several more dates, Fay moved from her parent's home in Hythe into Pete's parent's home in Shirley and they began their lives together.

Then becoming pregnant with their first child - now called Martin - the then 17-year-old Fay and Pete, 22, tied the knot on April 3 1950.

Ex-post office worker Fay said: "We used to go for a drink and a sandwich as you didn't go out for dinner in those days.

"Pete is very generous, kind-hearted and hard-working. We are lucky in a nutshell to have got here."

After moving into their home in Millbrook - where they live now - they both went on to have two more sons Steve and Gary.

They also now have five grandsons, one granddaughter, and four great-grandchildren.

Pete, who worked as a lorry driver for Southampton Waste Paper Company for most of his life, shared his love of classic cars with Faye.

They both regularly went to classic car shows before selling their own, and took family trips to Devon, Cornwall and Scotland in their caravanette.

The pair, who are both lifelong Daily Echo fans, would also take their sons to stay on farms while travelling for their annual holiday.

When asked what he thinks about Faye after 70 years, Pete said: "I'm lucky to find her."

The retired couple said they now enjoy cooking together and will celebrate their anniversary by watching something on the television.

Gardening fanatic Fay added: "We would usually have gone out but because of the lockdown, we will try to find something on the TV."