A MARRIED couple who have lived in the Forest all their lives are preparing for a platinum party this week when they celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve.

Kenneth and Margaret Jenkins, who live in Cinderford, will mark 70 years of marriage this year with a home-cooked Christmas dinner surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

The couple, who are Forest born-and-bred, were married 70 years ago this Friday (December 24) at St Stephens Church in Belle Vue Road.

The pair have lived in Ashmead Road near The Mount Pleasant virtually all of their married lives, and have two sons, Brian and Lyndon.

Kenneth, 89, grew up in Pope’s Hill near Littledean as one of six children.

He worked as a farm hand back in 1951 when he married "Cinderford girl" Margaret, who was the third daughter of Alice and Alfred Wood.

Over the years, 88-year-old Margaret has worked for Ranks Xerox in Mitcheldean and Lydney, Modern Alarm Systems in Cinderford and as a nurse at the Dilke Hospital.

Ken worked for Forest of Dean District Council as part of the house maintenance team, before going on to work in maintenance for Ranks Xerox.

Their first child Brian was born shortly before Ken was called up for National Service with the British Army, while their second son Lyndon was born eight years later.

In her youth, Margaret was well known in Cinderford for playing football, while Ken’s passion was racing the autograss cars which he built himself.

The couple also have six grandchildren, two from Brian and four from Lyndon.

The Jenkins family are joining their parents to celebrate the milestone this weekend by heading home to cook their Christmas dinner.

They also marked the occasion with a full family celebration dinner at The White Hart in Broadoak last weekend.