CHILDHOOD sweethearts who met while they were in the Scouts and Guides are set to celebrate 70 years of marriage.

Vernon and Elsie Blowfield were just 14 and 12 respectively when they first met.

And on Wednesday, the couple, from Burford Road, Witney, will celebrate their platinum anniversary.

Mrs Blowfield, born Coutts, said: “It is unbelievable.”

The couple, who both lived in London at the time, met at church parades while members of the Scouts and Guides.

Mrs Blowfield, 88, said: “We used to just stand and talk. We would then cycle up to Hyde Park and the Serpentine.”

Both Mr and Mrs Blowfield left school at the age of 14 to go to work.

They were married in North Kensington, when Mrs Blowfield was 18 and Mr Blowfield was 20.

Mr Blowfield, 90, was in the Royal Air Force and after just a few years of marriage was sent to fight in the Second World War.

During this time, Mrs Blowfield did not see her husband for more than three years.

They moved to Witney almost 60 years ago, when Mr Blowfield came to work for Smith’s Industries in the town.

She said: “I do not think there is a secret to our marriage. We just take everything as it comes and enjoy it.

“I do think a sense of humour helps; but so do good luck and health.

“And you need to have tolerance after all those years.”

The couple have three children – Dawn, 68, Christine, 63, and Kevin, 55 – five grandchildren and five great-grandsons.

They will celebrate their wedding anniversary with family friends during a garden party at the end of the month.