Bernard and Pamela Smith, from West End, celebrated 50 years of marriage with a recent dinner for 40 guests, including two of their bridesmaids, in the Atrium in Whittlebury Hall.

The couple, who married in Portsmouth on September 6, 1958, and moved to Silverstone 36 years ago, have two sons and six grandchildren living nearby.

Mrs Smith, who was a 16-year-old air cadet when she first met Bernard, said: "I didn't like him much at first because he was a higher rank than me and he used to boss me around.
"But he asked me out and it turned out that yes, this was it."

Mr and Mrs Smith have shared much happiness but also drawn strength from each other during difficult times, including both undergoing cancer treatment last year. "Like everything else, we said yes, we're going to do this together," said Mrs Smith.

Asked for the secret of a long and happy marriage, Mrs Smith added: "You've got to enjoy each other's company, be tolerant and you've got to love each other.
"We feel very blessed."

The couple invited party guests to make donations to national chlidren's cancer charity Clic Sargent instead of giving gifts.