A couple from Southwold who have been married for almost 70 years have recalled how they knew they were destined to be together within weeks of meeting.

Today, Richard and Helen Cook, both 87, are celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary. The couple first clapped eyes on each other at 19.

“We met in the RAF,” said Helen. “I was a WAF [Women in the Air Force], a radar operator down at RAF Bawdsey.

“Richard was a police dog handler. I used to march past with my group of radar ops. We would be marching down the road from where we lived and past the police house, where Richard was billeted.”

On glancing up and noticing this pretty young woman walking past his accommodation, Richard was smitten. Soon, he plucked up the courage to ask Helen out.

For the couple’s very first date, they went to the pictures in Felixstowe, catching the ferryboat from their respective billets. Afterwards, Richard told his bemused friend that he had found the girl he would marry.

A photo of Richard and Helen taken around the time they got engaged in 1956, at RAF Bawdsey. A photo of Richard and Helen taken around the time they got engaged in 1956, at RAF Bawdsey. (Image: Cook family) Richard and Helen on their wedding day, August 24, 1957.Richard and Helen on their wedding day, August 24, 1957. (Image: Cook family) Richard and Helen Cook pictured with their children, Nigel, David and Jenny, on Nigel's birthday in 1973.Richard and Helen Cook pictured with their children, Nigel, David and Jenny, on Nigel's birthday in 1973. (Image: Cook family) Richard and Helen have been reading the East Anglian Daily Times for all of their married life. Richard and Helen have been reading the East Anglian Daily Times for all of their married life. (Image: Cook family)

Within a week, Richard had confessed to Helen that he had fallen in love with her.

“I couldn’t believe my ears!” Helen laughed.

Six weeks later, Richard got down on one knee and Helen said yes. They waited to tie the knot until the following year, as married women couldn’t remain in the WAF.

They became husband and wife on August 24, 1957.

Richard and Helen are now parents to Nigel, David and Jenny. They are also grandparents to four, Louise, Alex, Stephen and James, and great-grandparents to Samira and Adrian.

The couple, who now live in Reydon, have continued to buy the East Anglian Daily Times throughout their married life.