Couple mark their platinum wedding anniversary

Derek and Brenda Dodge from Somerset first met at a local youth club

A couple are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary after being married for 70 years.

Derek and Brenda Dodge, both from the village of Baltonsborough near Glastonbury, first met at a local youth club.

Derek was asked to leave after losing his temper and Brenda offered to walk him home as she said she felt sorry for him.

Seventy years later they say the secret to a good marriage is "love, respect for one another, patience, being truthful and to understand you don't always have to agree".

Derek and Brenda on their wedding day on 12 March 1955

Derek originally asked Brenda to marry him at the age of 19, before serving two years in the army, but he said Brenda's parents said they were "far too young" and should wait.

They waited and got married on his 21st birthday on 12 March, 1955 at St Dunstan's Church in Baltonsborough.

The couple went on to have two children, a son and daughter who died in her 40s from cancer. They now have seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Brenda who has just turned 92 said: "We've really had a very happy life."

Derek was 91 on their platinum wedding anniversary.