A COUPLE have revealed the secret of a happy marriage on the occasion of their 70th wedding anniversary.

Rudheath residents Tom, 93, and Audrey Leather, 89, are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary today (20 August).

Her family threw her a surprise party over the weekend, giving the couple a chance to reflect on their time together, with all its ups and downs.

Tom and Audrey revealed the secret to a long and happy marriage: “Work hard, especially in difficult times.”

“But also to have your own freedom and interests so as not to get in each other’s way!”

Tom and Audrey both grew up in Northwich and attended Witton Boys School and Danebridge School respectively.

Tom subsequently held various positions, most recently for the now defunct Cheshire County Council.

Audrey also worked in several local locations, including the former Bebbingtons ironmonger’s on the High Street and a laundry on London Road.

Audrey and Tom received long service medals at a surprise anniversary celebration (Image: provided)

They met on a bus trip in 1953 and hit it off immediately. They spent their free time flirting at places like the Plaza, the Regal and the Pavilion.

They married at Northwich Registry Office on 20 August 1954 and celebrated at home with friends and family.

“It was a quiet affair, there was hardly any fuss,” they said.

Tom and Audrey had three children – sons Kenneth, 69, and Darren, 53, and daughter Allison, who died several years ago.

They have many fond memories together, including family holidays to Blackpool and Spain and social events at the Rudheath Club and the old Broadhurst Club.

Her niece, Vicki England, said: “They were delighted to receive a special card from the late Queen for their Diamond Wedding, although Tom remarked: ‘She could have put a fiver in it!’

“Like most couples, they have faced great challenges in life. The hardest was the loss of their daughter Alison, but they talk about her often and she is not forgotten.”

These days, the couple can usually be seen taking the bus to Northwich to stroll around the town, sit in their favourite cafe, socialise and just watch the world go by.

They said, “You have to keep going, you can’t sit inside all the time!”