CHILDHOOD sweethearts from Dinas recently celebrated an incredible 70 years of marriage.

Denzil and Orissa Watts met at Fishguard County School and married in Tabor Chapel, Dinas after Mr Watts’ return from WWII.

He had been a wireless operator with RAF Bomber Command, and was taken prisoner by the Germans in 1943 when his Wellington was shot down over Holland.

Mr Watts was kept in the Stalag VIII-B POW camp for more than two years and described his time there as “bloody awful."

He staged his very own great escape during the Big March, when hundreds of prisoners were marched through the snow towards Berlin.

Mr Watts said: “I made my way across Germany, stopping in farms and receiving help from some of the Polish people. I managed to get to Holland and stowed away on a German cargo ship which was heading for England.

“I only weighed seven stones and I remember waking up to breakfast at Tilbury Docks.”

When he left the RAF, Mr Watts worked briefly in Trecwn, while Mrs Watts taught in Nevern School. The couple then relocated to London, when Mr Watts joined the MET police.

They returned to their beloved Dinas in 1976, where they would eventually retire.

The couple, who are both in their nineties, have a daughter, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. They celebrated their anniversary by enjoying a meal with family and friends.

When asked what the secret of a long, happy marriage was, Mr Watts said it was loving each other, giving way when you have to and never considering age.

Mrs Watts said: “70 years have just happened!

“You get to know each other inside and out.”

“Denzil is my rock. He’s got incredible strength.”

During their retirement the couple enjoy travelling, sports, reading and like to keep their minds sharp with a game of cards and the daily crossword.