A SUFFOLK couple are proof that you are never too late to find love.They have tied the knot in front of more than 180 well-wishers in church.The couple, who have both been married for nearly 50 years each before losing their partners, were friends in the 1950s before they later lost touch.

A SUFFOLK couple are proof that you are never too late to find love.

They have tied the knot in front of more than 180 well-wishers in church.

The couple, who have both been married for nearly 50 years each before losing their partners, were friends in the 1950s before they later lost touch.

Fred Page, from Needham Market, and Edna Lockie, from Reydon near Southwold where she was treasurer and a leader of the Mother's Union, wed at St John the Baptist Church in Needham.

Mr Page, 77, said: "You are never too old to find love. You get so lonely, so finding Edna again is just wonderful.

"Life's just beautiful, people are stopping me and saying it must be wonderful to go home now. The grub she dishes up is wonderful.

"We are both so happy. It was so nice to see so many wonderful faces at the wedding. I proposed at Needham Market when she came down to see me and she agreed.''

But the soon to be Mrs Page had conditions.

Mr Page, a former cleaner at the Wattisham military base near Needham, had to agree to have her two cats move in too, giving the couple three cats in their home.

Mr Page said: "She agreed to marry me so long as she could bring her animals, and we have three cats now, one is mine. Our wedding was a beautiful day and I met lots of people I hadn't seen for many years.

"People in Needham Market have been so kind and the church was packed."

The couple met in the 1950s when Fred was singing in a band at the hotel and they became friends.

Mrs Page, 76, who used to work in hotel management, said: "It seems an awful long time ago, but we knew each other for a long time. I think he had a twinkle in his eye even then.

"We lost touch, but Fred's name came up through a mutual friend and I sent him a Christmas card. Once we got in touch again we would be on the phone, talking, literally, for hours.

"We met up and there was no going back. I thought of moving in to accommodation at Needham to be nearer Fred, but then he proposed.''

After a three month engagement the couple married earlier this month at a wedding so well attended there were not enough hymn books or chairs available.

The Pages held their reception in the church hall, known locally as the Ark.