The faces may be a little older and wiser and the outfits not quite so extravagant. But as Betty and Joe Orsi proudly posed to recreate their original wedding photo, there was one thing that still remained exactly the same, the love the pair shared some 50 years ago, was still just as strong.

The faces may be a little older and wiser and the outfits not quite so extravagant.

But as Betty and Joe Orsi proudly posed to recreate their original wedding photo, there was one thing that still remained exactly the same, the love the pair shared some 50 years ago, was still just as strong.

The couple staged the exact same snap of their wedding photo, at a surprise golden wedding party organised by their four children.

Many of the same guests at the wedding returned for the special anniversary on March 2 and the bouquets were exactly the same as well as the table settings.

And for the couple who live in Wereham, the surprise party, which was held in London, was just as wonderful as their wedding.

Mrs Orsi, 76, said: “It was just wonderful, I just cried. We had no idea that they had arranged this for us, we thought we were going to London to see the Sound of Music.

“I just couldn't believe it, it was just like my wedding again. It's hard to explain but I saw everyone there, even people that were no longer with us such as our parents.

“I try to explain it that it's like looking at a garden and seeing all the beautiful flowers and it was just like looking at all their faces.”

The couple's children had spent months organising the special Golden Wedding celebration and did all they could to try and recreate the special day.

And it was while planning the event, that they came up with the idea to recreate one of the wedding photos, using identical flowers and of course the same people.

Pictured was of course the happy couple, along with their nephew John Welch, 57, who was just seven at the time, Elizabeth Cooley, 60, who was ten.

Betty's sister Bernadette Stone -nee Welch, 66, and Mary Theresa Fellows nee Cooley, 64.

Mr and Mrs Orsi had met when they children growing up in the same area of London. But it was when Mr Orsi went to get some photographs developed at the chemists where Mrs Orsi worked, that they met again and agreed to date.

Mr Orsi worked as a ship's plumber before serving in the Army, and continued to work as a plumber following the war.

The couple moved to Norfolk 20 years ago, and Mrs Orsi said she had always been drawn to the area, after being evacuated there when she was young.

Mr Orsi, 74, said he was not sure what the secret was to a long successful marriage, but it was definitely down to being able to give and take and forgive.

Mrs Orsi, added: “He makes me laugh and growing up in the same area, we always had so much in common.”

The couple, who have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, will be travelling to London next week to renew their vows at the same church where they were married.

They are also still going to see the Sound of Music.

Son, Joseph, said: “They are wonderful people and have certainly done their best for us over the years.”

Daughter Bernadette added: “Everyone who meets mum and dad say what a lovely couple they are and that we are so lucky to have them as parents.”