THEIR secret to a long-lasting marriage is a mixture of never going to bed on an argument, letting the little things go and having a hobby.

These things, according to Morris and Sheila Hope, will see you have a long and happy marriage.

The couple from Romsey have celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends.

The pair met after Morris’s sister set them up.

Sheila, now 89, worked in a clerical job in Southampton when Morris’s sister said her brother needed a pen pal.

Morris, now 91, started writing to Sheila after that and the pair met shortly afterwards and Sheila said she thought humour must run in the family as Morris’s cousin was performer Bob Hope, and he made her laugh straight away.

Sheila said: “He was lovely, I thought he seemed like a really good man and we had a brilliant time, I loved that beginning bit, we were getting to know each other.”

Then Morris joined the Navy and served for four years, travelling across the world during the Second World War while Sheila stayed in Southampton working in a ship brokers.

The couple continued to write to each other throughout.

Sheila added: “I got to a point where I had forgotten what he looked like and he sent a photo and I thought oh yes he’s actually quite handsome.”

When Morris returned in 1946 the couple got married at Highfield Church and then moved in with Sheila’s auntie before buying their own home in Hiltingbury, Chandler’s Ford.

The couple had two daughters Margaret, now 69, and Susan, now 67 and Sheila held a part-time job at the shop counter for what would eventually become Boots while Morris was a technical officer for 40 years with BT.

Sheila said: “We’ve had a wonderful life together, I’ve been very lucky and am so happy. I’ve really enjoyed it all. We’ve always worked well together and made each other laugh.

“I think my secret would be to never go to bed cross with each other, that’s important, and let the little things go over your head and have a hobby, mine is gardening – it’s good to have something for yourself that’s therapeutic.”

The couple, who have 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, celebrated 70 years of marriage surrounded by their family and friends at a surprise party thrown by their grandson Philip Edwicker.

He said: “We all love them a lot they’re an amazing couple. I’m really close to them because I lived with them for a few years. They’re very special to us all.”

Sheila added: “We have a lovely day all together, we’ve got some really amazing family and friends and were very excited about the party.

"I think we’re now expecting a telegram congratulating us on our wedding, I’m hoping we can get to 100 years.”