A couple from Twickenham celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with a pub lunch surrounded by 20 members of their family.

Eileen and Philip Cook married at St John the Divine Church, Richmond, on April 2 in 1955, and followed the ceremony with a reception at Matthias Bakery Restaurant, Kew Road.

The couple, now 83 and 87 respectively, remained in the borough thorough out their married lives, living in Richmond and St Margarets before moving to Marble Hill Gardens in Twickenham.

Eileen's sister, Joyce Monger, helped organise the party at the Crown, Richmond Road, Twickenham, on Saturday, April 4, along with arranging for the happy couple to receive a card from the Queen to mark the occasion.

Mrs Monger said: "He [Philip] was very emotional. He thought everything was lovely. They are born and bred in Richmond and they know a lot of people and I thought it was a nice thing to do."

Both Mr and Mrs Cook came from large families, with Mrs Cook one of 13 siblings and Mr Cook one of seven brothers and three sisters.

Mrs Monger added: "They have had a very happy life. My mother died when I was three and my father when I was 15 so we have looked out for each other. We were all evacuated in the war and generally had good times."

The families are close with one another, with the Cooks moving across the road from Mrs Monger by chance.

Mrs Monger said: "We are not in each others’ houses all the time but we do keep check. They are good company and always there for you. We get on with our lives but if there was a problem, there will always be someone to sort you out."