A BROCKMOOR couple who had just 48 hours to get hitched, are now celebrating 72 years of wedded bliss.

Horace Rees, aged 93 and his wife Nancy, aged 91, marked the milestone anniversary on Friday (March 21).

Mr Rees, who was about to serve in the Second World War with the Royal Marines, was given a two day pass to propose and marry his teenage sweetheart.

She accepted his proposal and they wed hours later at Dudley Register Office in 1942.

When he returned from service, Mr Rees was awarded the Burma Star and the couple moved into a house on Mount Road, Wordsley.

Many happy years were spent at their martial home, where they lived until they moved into Abbeygate Care Centre, last September.

Their son, Michael, aged 67, said the pair met walking through Wordsley and had "no idea" what the secret to their long and happy marriage was, adding: "It doesn't happen very often."

He said when his father left the service, he had many jobs, including council maintenance, and making fire grates and spectacle lenses.

During the war, he said his mother made ammunition and had later gone on to factory work.

The couple, who have three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, celebrated their anniversary with a party, organised by home owner Raj Sahadew.

They also received a congratulatory card from the Queen.