A Suffolk couple say the secret to a long and happy marriage is "love and respect", as they mark their diamond wedding anniversary.

Andy and Miriam Musgrove marked the special occasion at Glebe House Residential Care Home, in Hollesley, where Andy moved last month. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Andy Musgrove celebrating his diamond wedding anniversaryAndy Musgrove celebrating his diamond wedding anniversary (Image: Glebe House Care Home)

Andy, a former mechanic, met his wife in 1962 when she visited a church in Colchester where he attended with friends.

Miriam said: "After we met for the very first time, Andy told his friends that he would marry me one day.

“I lived in London at the time and travelling between there and Colchester was difficult, so 18 months later we got married and settled in Harwich."

East Anglian Daily Times: The couple married in 1964The couple married in 1964 (Image: Glebe House Care Home)

She said the secret to a long and happy marriage was "love and respect", adding: "As long as your marriage has those two things then it will be a happy one."

The couple have two children, Linsey and Adrian, as well as five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Activities coordinator Sophie Smith arranged a private dining experience for the couple to celebrate the milestone.

East Anglian Daily Times: Miriam said the secret to a long and happy marriage is love and respect.Miriam said the secret to a long and happy marriage is love and respect. (Image: Glebe House Care Home)

She said: "We invited Miriam to join Andy for lunch and decorated the conservatory with a banner, balloons, and flowers to make it extra special. The kitchen team baked and decorated a fabulous cake for the occasion.

“They are such a lovey couple and it’s wonderful to see how devoted they are to each other after six decades together.

“Glebe House is Andy’s home now, so we make sure there are no barriers to him and Miriam having quality time together. It can be a difficult transition for a couple to adjust to not living together, and we support them in any way we can.

“Since June last year, Andy has attended day care at Glebe House, so the home and our team were already familiar to him when he moved in.

“Although they live apart, Miriam is a regular visitor. We support them to share mealtimes together, spend time in the garden, and participate in activities.

"Andy loves classical music, so we often play this during mealtimes as he finds it calming and it reminds him of home."