A HOLIDAY romance more than 70 years ago has led to platinum celebrations for one Worcester couple.

George and Catherine Ball married on Boxing Day, 1930 - a year after they met at Blackpool.

George, who is now 93, and Catherine, 88, spent their weekends together at her home in Leeds.

"We soon got fed up of just seeing each other at weekends so we decided to get married," said Catherine.

"We didn't really have much of an engagement as such, we just wanted to have the wedding."

The couple, who live in Bromwich Road, were married in Leeds and moved to George's home city of Worcester shortly afterwards.

"We didn't have a honeymoon. Instead, we moved here," said Catherine.

"There were lots of people waving us off on the railway station as we left."

Their first son, Donald, was born in 1931, and their other son, Bryan, in 1935.

They now have five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren - the youngest two years old.

The couple decided to marry on Boxing Day because that was when Catherine's brothers and sisters had all been married.

They say the secret of their marriage is that they have enjoyed themselves and, until recently, they still ventured out to play whist and socialise with their friends.

"We've got on very well and enjoyed our lives," said Catherine.

"We've had our ups and downs, but I've always been quite content because I got what I wanted.

"I wanted George and I got him!"

Her husband worked for Cadbury's before joining the Army during the Second World War.

He returned to Worcester to work for Spicers.

"We can't grumble, it's gone very well," said George.

"We've got two sons to back us up."

The couple celebrated the milestone on Christmas Day with their family.