A KNUTSFORD man is celebrating two landmark events as his 100th birthday and 74th wedding anniversary fall in the same week.

Frank Mullins, who lives on Bexton Road with his wife Mary, 95, recently enjoyed a family gathering to mark the milestone occasions following the couple's anniversary on October 27 and Frank's birthday on November 1.

The lifelong sweethearts have lived in Knutsford since the end of the war and have resided at properties on Stanley Road and Northwich Road before moving to their retirement bungalow on Bexton Road.

Their daughter, Rosalind Diantonio, congratulated Frank and Mary by throwing a family party with their son Peter, their four grandchildren and their four great grandchildren.

"Mum and Dad have always been loving and caring and always willing to help others,” said Rosalind. “One of their greatest pleasures has been family get-togethers and we are so fortunate to still have them in our lives"

Frank was born in Newfoundland in Canada in 1915, sailing from Nova Scotia to Liverpool in 1940 on the Duchess of Richmond with the Newfoundland Military Forestry Commission.

He was stationed in the New Forest before later being transferred to the Scottish Highlands.

At the same time, Mary nee Lomas, whose family farmed at High Legh, was employed as a nanny to two children and accompanied them when they were evacuated for safety in the war to stay with their grandmother in Scotland.

Frank and Mary met at a Highland dance and were married at Inverness on October 27 1941 and lived in the Spey Valley before returning to Cheshire when the war was over.