Leeds couple celebrating 70th wedding anniversary in Horsforth face wait to cuddle first great grandchild born during Covid-19 lockdown

Platinum couple Jack and Pat Jowett's eight-week-old great grandson Jack, who was born during lockdown in April, lives less than a mile away from their home in Horsforth.

Jack's parents Nicola and Mick Oliphant have taken him to see his 92-year-old great grandparents at a distance, but Covid-19 social distancing restrictions mean they can't hold him.

Jack Jowett, said: "It's unfortunate. We have seen him twice but we haven't been able to hug him. We are looking forward to it very much indeed."

Mr and Mrs Jowett were born a month apart in 1927 and grew up in Armley and Halton respectively.

Mr Jowett's dad James ran J Jowett butcher's shop on Tong Road, Armley.

The couple were both aged 16 when they first met while working at Arthur Hainsworth estate agents in Leeds.

But they didn't get on with each other at first after meeting at the estate agents, where Jack Jowett was a clerk and Pat Brown was a shorthand typist.

Mr Jowett was conscripted into the army aged 18 soon after World War Two ended in 1945 and served in the Intelligence Corps until 1948.

They met again when he invited Miss Brown to his 21st birthday party in Horsforth before they started going out together.

The couple were both aged 22 when they got married on June 29 1950 at a church in Halton, Leeds, before a reception at The Mansion in Roundhay Park.

Mr Jowett later qualified as a chartered surveyor and was self employed with a practice in Leeds.

Mrs Jowett later worked as a representative for a housing association.

The couple have been keen walkers and cyclists and Mrs Jowett is looking forward to pools reopening as she still swims regularly.

After retirement they enjoyed numerous active holidays cycling in France and backpacking in the UK and abroad.

Mr Jowett is an honorary life member of Leeds Mountaineering Club and has a lifelong love of music.

He regularly played the piano and is still a member of Leeds Music Club.

Mrs Jowett has been a member of amateur dramatic group Leeds Cosmopolitan Players.

The couple have three children: Angela, 63; Rosemary, 60; Simon, 56, and three grandchildren Nicola, 34; Andrew, 31; and Katy, 23, as well as new great grandson, Jack.

The couple's eldest daughter Angela, said: "Their children and grandchildren are so important to them. They have not been able to hug their great grandson Jack yet."