It was a marriage made in hospital for a Cricklewood couple who have tied the knot after being together for 42 years.

David Kavanagh , 74, and Margaret Emberton, 75, took their vows on November 21 in front of a registrar on ward 8E of the Royal Free Hospital, in Hampstead, surrounded by family and staff.

Nurses on the ward helped the groom, who was a patient, with his wedding plans, measuring him up for his suit and decorating his hospital room to make the celebration one that neither would forget.

The couple had been planning their wedding earlier this year when David was diagnosed with cancer, which meant they had to put their nuptials on hold.

Margaret, who has three children from her first marriage, said she waited this long to marry David because she “wanted to be sure!” adding: “We had applied for a licence and were planning our wedding but then David became ill and has been an inpatient at the Royal Free Hospital since March.”

When they met in 1975 Margaret was working as a cleaner at a Jewish youth club and her future husband was polishing floors there while training to be a taxi driver.

She added: “He 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.”

David’s recovery has been slow. He was in intensive care at the hospital until August and is now receiving regular physiotherapy as he is still unable to walk unaided.

Margaret has spent every afternoon at his bedside since he arrived eight months ago.

David said the secret to his and Margaret’s long and happy relationship is that they “never go to bed on an argument” and that they still have the occasional night out without each other.

Hannah Metcalfe, 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.”