A COUPLE who met at an engagement party in Malvern and married two years later are celebrating 70 years of marriage today.

Maurice and Irene Bythe-way did not look at anyone else after that first meeting, and following their wedding in 1937 they moved into a new house in Gilmour Crescent, Claines, Worcester, where they have continued to live throughout their long married life.

Mr Bytheway, who celebrated his 92nd birthday last week, said: "Many years ago I had a friend called John and Irene had a friend called Margaret. They met and became engaged and we went to their engagement party.

"I had been sitting on a chair and I got up to have a walk around.

"When I got back, Irene was sitting in my chair. We decided to share the chair and we have been doing it ever since."

Mr and Mrs Bytheway were both born in Malvern but moved to Worcester to be closer to Mr Bytheway's work at Archdales, where he was a machine tool operator.

He stayed there for 13 years and also did 27 years at Garringtons in Bromsgrove, making dies for forges before he retired. He continued to be involved with the firm through its social club.

Mrs Bytheway, aged 89, worked part-time for Metal Castings for 19 years and also worked for a time at Kays.

While Mr Bytheway was involved with Garringtons' social club, his wife was a founder member of Claines WI and a volunteer in the Worcester cathedral coffee shop for 25 years. She also collected funds for a cancer charity and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

They attribute their long and happy marriage to having a holiday every year, their own interests, three good meals a day and a mutual love of travel and exploring foreign lands.

Mrs Bytheway said: "We have had our ups and downs - everybody has - but it has been very good."

Every year for 36 years, they went on family camping holidays visiting Germany, Austria, Italy and France.

The couple have also enjoyed several trips to Australia, visited the United States and Romania.

Mr and Mrs Bytheway have three children, Robert, Judy and Peter, five grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

They will be celebrating their platinum wedding anni-versary with a special meal at the Chateau Impney, Droit-wich, with members of their family.