A couple celebrated their diamond wedding by receiving a blessing at the church they were married in 60 years ago.

%image(14823900, type="article-full", alt="Edward "Ted" Howlett and his wife Margaret on their wedding day on July 7, 1956 at Sotterly, Norfolk. Photo: Submitted")

Edward 'Ted' Howlett, 81, and his wife Margaret, 80, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

The couple, who live in Laurel Drive, Bradwell, were blessed at St Margaret's Church in Sotterley, near Beccles, on Saturday, with around 60 people attending.

They then held a party for family at friends at Browston Hall afterwards.

Asked what their secret to a long marriage was, Ted said: 'I'm always amazed at people who say they have never had a hard word in their relationship.

'There's no real answer, you just have to work at it for the whole of your life.'

The couple met at a social event held at the pavilion in Sotterley when Margaret was still at school in Beccles and Ted had just started his electrician's apprenticeship in Lowestoft.

They courted for nearly six years before they got engaged.

Ted, who is originally from Henstead was Bradwell parish council chairman for 20 years, spent three years in the regular army in the military police and spent time in Germany, and then four years in the reserves.

He joined the police force in 1959.

Margaret worked on her father's farm and then in nurseries.

They had three children, Angela, 59, who was born in Germany, Teresa, 56, who was born in Lowestoft and Michael, who died three years ago aged 51.

The couple have three grandchildren.

Guest raised £660 which will be used to help pay for a new sensory classroom at the The Ashley School Academy Trust in Lowestoft.