Childhood sweethearts Frank and Doris Richardson celebrated their diamond wedding with a fish and chip supper.

The couple, of Rayleigh Road, Rayleigh, met while they were at school in London's Kings Road.

Frank, 78, said: "I can't remember a time when we weren't together. We used to play together when we were children and then we started courting. I can't remember when one became the other."

There has never been anyone else for either of them. They were married when Frank was only 18 and Doris was 21.

The ex-air force pilot said: "We always do everything together. We act as an entity, not two separate people.

"That is what marriage is. When you marry you become part of the other person and you have to work together for your future."

The loving pair work together to organise the Eastwood Over 60s Friendship club.

Grateful club members helped them celebrate their anniversary with fish and chips at the Eastwood United Reform Church in Rayleigh's Saffory Close.

However, the real celebrations took place a few days later when the couple's three children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren returned home for a party.

Frank said: "We have a large family and it was wonderful to have them all with us for our anniversary."

Always together - Frank and Doris celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.