DISTANCE made the heart grow fonder for a Bradwell couple who, this week, celebrated 65 years of wedded bliss.The second world war was at its height when Alexander and Muriel Robertson first met in 1942.

DISTANCE made the heart grow fonder for a Bradwell couple who, this week, celebrated 65 years of wedded bliss.

The second world war was at its height when Alexander and Muriel Robertson first met in 1942.

Alexander asked for Muriel's hand at a dance in Great Yarmouth before sweeping her down the aisle two years later.

Edinburgh-born Alexander was based at the port as part of a detachment of gunboats patrolling the North Sea while his wife to be worked at Jarrold's department store in Yarmouth.

The couple tied the knot at St Peter's Church, Deneside on August 17, 1944.

Following the war, Alexander, 86, worked as painter and decorator before later setting up his own business.

They have three children: Stephen, Maureen and Irene, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

After bringing up the children Muriel worked for a time at the Gorleston branch of Woolworths.

Stephen continues to run the family building contract business with son Carl.

Friends and relatives joined the couple on Monday to mark their sapphire wedding anniversary at the Priory Restaurant in St Olaves.

Alexander said: “We spent a lot of time apart after we first met as I was on active service, but it didn't spoil our romance.

“The secret of a good relationship is being compatible and we share so much together.”