A Hornchurch couple received a special letter from the Queen on the day they celebrated 70 years of marriage together.

Jessie and John Pask of Great Nelmes Chase, received the letter from the Queen on their platinum wedding anniversary on Wednesday, January 31.

John, now 91, met Jessie in Dagenham when he was studying to become an engineer at South East Essex Technical College in the area.

He told the Recorder: “I spent a lot of time studying in the library, and Jessie was working as a librarian there at the same time, and that’s how we met.

“We were really looking forward to Wednesday, though we’re thinking of getting together later in the year with the family.”

“Our family is scattered around quite a bit, and half of them live in New Zealand now.”

The Pasks were married at St Mary’s Church, Dagenham in 1947.

Jessie, now 90, guessed that they might be receiving a letter from the Queen, after their daughter Betty, arranged for them to receive one on their 65th wedding anniversary.

The card says: “It gives me great pleasure to send my best wishes to you for your 65th wedding anniversary. I hope your day will be filled with many happy memories.”

The couple moved to Great Nelmes Chase, shortly after their children Robert and Betty were born and have remained in Havering since 1956.

Jessie and John bonded over a shared love of travel.

They traversed the country on motorbike, with Jessie occasionally driving with John as a nervous pillion passenger.

Now the couple enjoy different hobbies. John likes to garden, while Jessie paints and together they like to complete puzzles.

“She does endless crosswords to keep her brain in tune, while I prefer to do Sudoku,” said John.

Jessie explained that the secret to their marriage is really quite simple.

“We think it’s very important to have a good sense of humour and just get on with life basically,” said Jessie.

John added: “Being the type of woman she is, it’s no problem.

“My wife always says that she takes and I give.”