Love continues to blossom in Bournemouth for a couple who are celebrating 76 years of marriage.

Helen and Maurice Kaye live independently in an East Cliff apartment. Warsaw-born Mrs Kaye, 97, attributes their lasting union to trust, being on the same wavelength and enjoying each other's company. "Our problems drew us together rather than pushed us apart. No one said it would be a bed of roses."

Her East Ender husband is 98. They met in 1930 when he went into her parents' shop in Walworth, south London, where she worked, to try to win an order for his father's drapery business. They married four years later at Borough Synagogue.

Mr Kaye went on to manage his father's factory and two shops in Camberwell. His wife worked with him, taking over the reins in 1939 when he volunteered for the Army.

In 1944 their factory, shops and home were destroyed by enemy action. In her husband's absence, Mrs Kaye searched for a suitable business, happening upon a shop in Boscombe, Bournemouth.

Their business expanded to five shops, including Kapri Kasuals in the town's prestigious Westover Road, which they ran for 21 years. Its lease expired in 1987, when they sold all their shops to pursue other business interests.

In their leisure time, the Kayes have enjoyed competitive ballroom dancing and travelling, especially to Israel. Their first visit was in 1951 when Mr Kaye was chairman of the Bournemouth Joint Palestine Appeal. They also play bridge at least once a week.

Mr Kaye celebrated his 87th birthday by going paragliding and had his first flying lesson at 90.

Two of the couple's four children predeceased them. They have nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with a fourth expected in December.