A COUPLE who met in church have put their sturdy 70-year marriage down to their faith in Jesus.

Ruby and Albert Russell, of High Street, Benson, met when she was 17 and he was 20.

Mrs Russell, nee Naesmith, said: “We attribute our long marriage to the fact that Jesus has always been the centre of our lives – in good times and bad times we have always sought his help.

“That’s the reason we have stayed together. He has been a companion and guide right through our lives.”

The 90-year-old added: “We have done everything together always.”

They first met at a Sunday service at an evangelical church in Thornton Heath, Surrey.

Mrs Russell, who was a nurse before getting married, said: “I don’t think it was love at first sight but we grew to love each other.”

When asked what she was first attracted to in Albert, she said: “He’s a good looking chap.”

She added: “But right from the beginning we only wanted what God wanted for us.”

Mr Russell, 93, was a draughtsman and among the prpjects he worked on during his career was the development of the supersonic airliner Concorde.

The couple celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary on February 15. They have lived in Benson for 27 years.

They have two daughters, two sons, one adopted daughter, 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.