A COUPLE had a royal celebration to mark 65 years of marriage last week.

Kenneth and Peggy Braund, who have lived in Bridgwater all their lives, received a telegram from the Queen congratulating them on the milestone event.

And they revealed their secret for a long and happy relationship is having ‘two TVs and two bedrooms’.

The couple married in 1950 and marked the anniversary with a special gathering of friends and family at Bridgwater and Albion Rugby Club on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Braund, 84, said: “It was too much to take in, to see everyone we love all together, it just seemed impossible. I was a little bit overwhelmed to be honest."

The couple, who met in 1948, were told the relationship was doomed to failure by some friends and family members, however with five children, 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-greatgranddaughter the Bridgwater pair feel they have proved the doubters wrong.

Eighty-two-year-old Mrs Braund, who was just 17 on the day of her wedding, said: “We married quite young and a lot of people said it wouldn’t last.

“There have been some difficult times like any relationship, but definitely more good times than bad.

“It’s been a very happy happy marriage but you've got to give and take, forgive and forget and you have got to talk a lot.”

However Mrs Braund, who has lived her life in Bridgwater, feels that the secret to a long and successful marriage is somewhat more straightforward.

“It’s quite simple,” she said. “The key is you need two TVs and two bedrooms and that’s it.”