CHILDHOOD sweethearts who tied the knot with a war-time wedding have celebrated 70 years of marriage.

Bob Winch, who was given an MBE by the Queen in 1974 for services to industry, first met his wife-to-be, Dorothy, when they attended the same primary school in Birmingham.

The pair were split up when they attended different grammar schools but met again as teenagers.

However, the couple were to spend more time apart when Bob, now 93, studied engineering and Dorothy, now 91, moved to London to train in child psychology and work at Dr Barnardo's home.

Eventually re-united once more, the couple married during the war in 1943 and moved to Bromsgrove where Mr Winch took up a position at Garringtons factory.

His job, innovating techniques in drop forging, would take him to India, Italy, Germany, Japan and even Brazil. It would also lead to him being given his MBE.

Mr and Mrs Winch had three children when in Bromsgrove before they moved to Droitwich Spa. Since moving to the town 42 years ago they have been involved with a number of groups, including the Spa Ladies, a cancer support group and especially Droitwich Stroke Club.

Mrs Winch said: "We are surrounded by caring neighbours and friends. We feel we have been most fortunate in many respects, and are still happy together after 70 years of marriage."

The couple, who now also have six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, marked their platinum anniversary on Wednesday, December 11 by joining family for a meal at St Andrews Town Hotel, St Andrew's Drive, Droitwich.

Mr Winch added: "I think the reason we have been together so long is because we have always been so well suited to each other."