The couple met in 1930 when Syd was a member of the Church Lads Brigade and some of his friends were following a group of girls, including Phyllis, through Coventry, and they soon started going out together. Syd said: "I knew this was the girl for me." On his 18th birthday, Syd approached Phyllis's father to ask for his permission before asking her to marry him. Syd later proposed under a heraldic Coat of Arms bridge in Coventry.

Syd and Phyllis were both born in Coventry, and 97-year-old Syd worked as an apprentice at the Coventry-based aircraft company Armstrong Whitworth. He is also a Freeman of the City.

95-year-old Phyllis said: "When we got married we'd just bought our first house for £525, and now it's worth about £200,000 - times have really changed! The time just flies by with him though."

Staff at Princethorpe Court, where they have lived since December 2004, threw them a party to celebrate the occasion, which was attended by their sons Graham and Bill. The couple also have a daughter, four grandchildren, one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter.

After 75 years together what advice can they offer to newlyweds?

"He has been spoilt rotten," Phyllis said, "But you have to have a good rolling pin too!"

Syd said: "Tolerance and perseverance are the main ingredients for success, we had our arguments, but we have overcome them. Even if she doesn't believe me, I still love her just as much as on the day I married her."

He added that having their own space has helped them. "We've slept in single beds for forty years. That helps!"

Picture: Phyllis and Syd share a kiss on their 75th anniversary.

See more pictures of Syd and Phyllis on Flickr!

Do you have any well-wishes for Syd and Phyl? Let us know on Facebook!

For further information, please contact:

Lucy Henson, PR officer
0789 105 3062
lucy.henson@extracare.org.uk