A DIAMOND couple renewed their wedding vows after 60 happy years of marriage, and celebrated with a party afterwards.

Ray and Pamela Case enjoyed an evening with more than 170 friends and family who turned up at Blake Hall to congratulate the pair on their special day–made all the more special for Pamela by a card from the Queen.

The couple met in Bridgwater in 1951 and say they are still as much in love as they were on the rainy day of their wedding in St John’s Church.

Mr Case, 83, said: “Pamela is a bit of a royalist so she was quite pleased to receive a card from the Queen.

“We had a great evening – we didn't expect to see so many people there.

“It was a wonderful surprise. We’ve seen some good bashes but nothing quite as big as the 60th. Mrs Case, 80, described how renewing their vows in St John’s Church where they married 60 years earlier brought back happy memories.

“I remember it was a good wedding,” she said. “It was raining but we still had a lovely day. “We didn’t have much money but since then we have worked hard to get what we have got.”

The couple asked for charitable donations from their guests rather than gifts and managed to raise more than £550 for Diabetes UK.

Still as active as ever, the couple enjoy dancing and spending time with their two granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren.

Mr Case said: “We have a good social life, which we do our best to keep. “We’re still fit and healthy and still go dancing twice a week.

“We’ve got to keep going as long as we can – we’re just looking forward to celebrating our next milestone.”