Residents in a Dedham Vale care home have shared the secrets to their 72-year marriage in time for celebrating Valentine's Day.

Shelagh Bouckley, who lives at Blackbrook House care home near Colchester, has been together with husband John since meeting him when she was 17.

The 93-year-old said: “You’ll have a successful relationship if you communicate, listen to each other and share interests. When you meet that special person, you know they are the one. You can feel it.

"Be totally honest with each other and with all those you meet in life. Don’t be afraid to be honest with your feelings too."

The care home will be marking Valentine's on Tuesday, February 14, with a themed lunch, card-making and watching romantic films.

Lucy Yarham, deputy manager of the care home, added: “It’s lovely of Shelagh and John to offer some advice about how to find romance.

"Older people have a lifetime of experience when it comes to love so they’re probably the best people to learn from if you want to make your love last for a lifetime.”