A couple have married on a ward at the Royal Free Hospital, 42 years after meeting.

David, 74, and Margaret Emberton, 75, live in Cricklewood, tied the knot on ward 8E in front of a registrar, family and friends.

They met at a Jewish youth club where Margaret worked as a cleaner, and David polished floors to earn extra cash while training to become a taxi driver.

Margaret said the reason for waiting so long before marrying David was because ‘I wanted to be sure!’

But, wedding plans had to be put on hold after David was diagnosed with kidney cancer earlier this year.

He was in intensive care until August and sees a physiotherapist to help improve his walking.

Margaret has been with David in hospital every afternoon since March.

Margaret, added: “We had applied for a license and were planning our wedding, but then David became ill and has been an inpatient at the Royal Free Hospital since March.

“David has been very ill including several bouts of pneumonia but he’s really turned the corner now and the next stage will be leaving the hospital and going into rehabilitation.

“All the staff looking after him here have been absolutely wonderful.”

Nurses on the ward helped David with wedding plans.

They measured him for his wedding suit and decorated the ward the marriage ceremony took place.

Hannah Metcalf, ward sister, said: “We’ve loved helping David and Margaret plan their wedding here.

“We lent a hand with the paperwork involved to get a registrar, helped measure David for his suit and staff also enjoyed decorating the room and hearing about their plans.

“They are a lovely couple and are devoted to each other.

“This is the happy ending they both deserve.”

Their secret to a long and happy relationship is not going to bed on an argument, and spending the occasional night out apart.