A YORK couple, who were married by a vicar involved in one of the biggest-ever royal controversies, are celebrating their Platinum Wedding anniversary today.

David and Nora Kempson, who live off Holgate Road, have clocked up a remarkable 70 years of marriage.

The Rev Anderson Jardine, who conducted their ceremony in 1933, went on to marry the Duke and Duchess of Windsor following the Duke's abdication as King Edward VIII.

He was thrown out of the Church of England because he had been forbidden to carry out the service.

"I think he settled in America," said David, who celebrated his 93rd birthday on New Year's Eve.

The Kempsons, who have two children, Hebe and David, met and were married in their home town of Darlington. They moved to York in 1933 after David secured a job as a boilersmith at the carriageworks, where he worked for the next 50 years.

"You've got to make your own way in life and we've made ours," David said.

"We get on very well together - I still love Nora."

The couple were celebrating the occasion with family and friends at their local bowling club.

Updated: 15:25 Thursday, January 02, 2003