75 years of bliss for Lance and Vi!

Lance and Vi Bradley, both 93, were yesterday marking an incredible 75 years together in what is the district's longest-lasting marriage.

But Mr Bradley said he and wife, pictured, were avoiding any fuss and just having a belated celebration today with a small gathering of family and friends.

"There was all kinds of fuss when we had our 70th anniversary," he said. "We had calls from the BBC and lots of other people. This time it will be much quieter."

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Allan Hillary, congratulated the couple.

"This is a fabulous success story and a splendid achievement," he said.

"I think that all of us can learn something from the Bradleys. I'm glad to hear they are still looking after one another after all these years."

Mr Bradley, met his future wife when they were only 17. They married a year later in Louth, Lincolnshire.

Mr Bradley believes the fact that they married so young has helped them stay close together through the years.

"We got married when we were very young and this meant we were growing up at the same time as our children," he said.

He also puts the long-term success of their marriage down to low-stress healthy lifestyles and observing a few simple rules.

"One of the things we've always said is that there has got to be some give and take in a marriage," he said. "One person can't get their own way all the time.

"We have disagreements over small things nearly every day, but we make sure that we never fall out over them."

The couple moved to Wilsden from Leicestershire four years ago after their son John died, to be closer to their other son Tony and his wife Ruth.

They have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Despite their achievement, the Bradleys have some way to go before they break the world record for the longest marriage.

The Guinness Book of World Records credits Britain's longest present nuptials to a Liverpool couple at 78 years, while the world record stands at 85 years.