A Sidmouth couple whose love blossomed at the bank are celebrating 70 years of marriage today (Friday), a matter of days after the Queen and Prince Philip marked the same anniversary.

Kim and Irene Smith married four days after the royal couple at the Holy Brompton Church in London, six months after meeting in Chichester.

The couple met at Westminster Bank when Kim worked behind the counter and Irene was a customer.

Irene, 97, said; “I saw him come in from the back and I asked the chap who was serving me, ‘who is that chap who just came in?’ and he told me not to worry about him, because he was flirting with me.”

Kim, also 97, took a chance and asked his future wife out and they tied the knot on November 24 1947.

Irene said that she did not wear a dress but a two piece outfit which she bought with ration coupons donated by family members.

On their wedding the day the streets were still decorated with flags to mark the Queen’s wedding in Westminster Abbey.

After living around the country, they retired to Sidmouth more than 30 years ago and have two children, four grandchildren and are expecting their first-great-grandchild.

Kim, who was a town councillor for 20 years, said: “Sidmouth has been very good to us.”