A COUPLE who have spent almost their entire lives together have credited their ability to take the rough times with the smooth times as the secret to their lasting love.

Gordon and Pam Clare, from Borrowby, between Thirsk and Northallerton, celebrated 70 years of marriage on Thursday (July 30) with family.

Mr and Mrs Clare, aged 90 and 88 respectively, met when Mrs Clare was just 14 and married when she was 18, near to their native Bolton.

Mr Clare said: “We didn’t go to the same school but we used to play football on the playing field occasionally.

“That’s when I first saw her. I knew she lived in the pub where her family worked so I used to go there often so I could see her.”

The couple were married in St Peter’s Church, Kelsall, Cheshire, in 1945, and their son David was born the following year, with daughter Pamela born in 1954.

In 1983 the couple moved to their current home in Borrowby, and have three grandsons Fraser, James and Alastair, as well as eight great-grandchildren.

Mrs Clare said: “You have to be able to put up with what life throws at you and not go to the extreme if you do fight and fall out.”