It was champagne all round when a Southend couple celebrated a magnificent 65 years of marriage.

Walter and Elsie Purser, who first met 70 years ago, enjoyed a celebration coffee morning at their home in St Luke's Place, Rochford, surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Even their son, Brian, 63, came over from France for the party, bringing the champagne with him.

The couple met in 1929 on a summer evening in West Ham, near where they both used to live. Walter Purser said: "It was love at first sight."

But they waited another five years, until 1934, to tie the knot.

Walter, 87, said: "People nowadays meet one day and get married the next - and the very next day they get divorced.

"People don't take the time to get to know each other before they marry. We waited until we were sure."

The devoted pair, who have three children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, were married in North Stifford Parish Church near Grays when they were both 22.

Walter said: "It was quite small, we only had about 50 or 60 guests, but it was lovely.

"We had the reception in the parish hall and my mum, Rose, prepared the food because Elsie's parents had both died some years before."

The couple were separated for nearly four years during the war when Mr Purser was fighting in India.

He said: "It was very hard for both of us, but I think it was worse for Elsie.

"She had to look after the family alone through the war and once they were bombed out of their home. It must have been very difficult."

The Pursers had often spent weekends at Southend when they were young and always had hopes of living in the seaside town.

Walter said: "We used to come here when we were courting and we always said when we could afford it we would come and live here.

"When I retired 30 years ago we decided we could afford it and we moved. It has been fantastic. We both love it here."

Walter and Elsie, also 87, said the secret of a good marriage was team work.

"Marriage is like rowing a boat. If you row in different directions you will go round in circles and never get anywhere, but if you row together you will go in a straight line to love and happiness.

"A loving marriage is the root to true happiness."

65 years of wedded bliss - for Walter and Elsie Purser, who have definitely found the secret to a good marriage

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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