A former high powered Thetford businessman and his wife have celebrated 60 years of being married to each other.

Conrad and Beryl Lockey, both 83, were married on July 28, 1956.

Mr Lockey had been the director and then chief executive officer of Thetford-based Nichol Beauty Products, an aerosol firm which won the honour of being named EDP business of the year in 1993.

The company moved to Thetford from north London in 1970 and at the time had 30 staff and a £0.5m turnover.

When the firm was sold in 1997 its turnover had reached £50m.

When Mr and Lockey moved to Norfolk they first lived at Garboldisham and then moved to North Lopham, where they resided for more than 20 years.

Mr Lockey was also known in Norfolk as the master of the Dunston Harriers.

The couple are originally from Yorkshire and a 17-year-od Mr Lockey first spotted his future wife while he was at Barnsley Holgate Grammar School for Boys and she was at Barnsley High School for Girls.

Mr Lockey said 'The schools were at opposite ends of the town, and I used to cycle across town each day at 4pm to see the girls.

'Beryl caught my eye with her lovely blonde hair.'

After marrying in the village of Crawthorne they moved to High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, where Mrs Lockey worked as an infant school teacher.

Mr Lockey worked as a buyer for British Home Stores.

He went on to become a director and then chief executive of Nichol Beauty Products, which was then based in Southgate in north London.

When Mr Lockey retired they relocated to Cheveley, near Newmarket, where they live today.

They have three daughters, Sarah Ruffhead who lives in Burnham Market, Kate Broom who lives in Marlingford, and Emma O'Gorman, who lives in Reigate, and they have four grandchildren.

Mr and Mrs Lockey both enjoyed a shared hobby of horse racing.

He was master of the Dunston Harriers for 13 years, and then had point to pointers, trained by Wymondham trainer the late Mike Bloom.

Their best winner was Mrs Lockey's horse Darrington Deal, which won eight times.

On moving to Newmarket they bought flat horses, and had 31 winners and about 40 places.

They are still keen race goers,

Mr Lockey said that the reason they have had a such a long and loving marriage is because his wife has been such a wonderful support throughout their life together.

They are celebrating their diamond wedding with their family and friends today with a black tie dinner at the Jockey Club in Newmarket.