FORMER Ramsbury beat bobby Cyril Painter and his wife Pat are celebrating their diamond wedding today with a family party on Saturday.

Their son, Timothy, daughters Pauline and Deborah and four grand daughters will be among the 34 guests at the party at the Horseshoe Inn in Mildenhall.

Mrs Painter, 81, was the best friend of Mr Painter’s sister and he was pals with her brother so their getting together was a case of destiny, they said.

Mr Painter, 85, served 26 years in the Wiltshire Constabulary including stints at Bratton, Swindon, Marlborough and finally Ramsbury. He then worked for ten years as a messenger for Lloyds Bank in Swindon.

The couple spent their early retirement living in Aldbourne and moved to Churchill Court in Marlborough five years ago. Mr Painter said his recipe for a long and happy marriage was “to remember and to keep our wedding vows”.

His wife said: “As well as being my husband he is also my best friend and I think that is important.”