SWEETHEARTS James and Betty Buckley met on a carousel 74 years ago and it was love at first sight.

James, who is from Tranent, was serving in the RAF as an 18-year-old in Maidenhead, in Berkshire, when he met Betty at a funfair.

The pair got to know each other on the carousel but their time was cut dramatically short when James was posted to India the very next day.

However, James ensured Betty knew what had happened by paying a friend half a crown to walk three miles to her home and tell her where he was.

His friend gave Betty James’ rank number so she could write to him and their courtship began through letters.

The couple, who married in St Martins RC Church in Tranent, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last week, surrounded by friends and family.

James, 95, and Betty, 92, who settled in England after the war, were joined by son John and daughter Rosemary as they marked the big day.

And they were delighted to receive a congratulations telegram from the Queen.

Betty said it would be the Queen and Prince Phillip’s 70th anniversary next year, and she would return the compliment by sending congratulations.