TO have a golden wedding couple in a street is worth a celebration.

But two couples, celebrating their golden wedding on the same day, living across the road from each other, is remarkable.

John and Audrey Langley and Bill and Maureen Dean, of Southfield Road, Flackwell Heath, will celebrate 50 years of marriage tomorrow.

Both couples got married on Saturday, July 7, 1951, and actually took their vows within half an hour of each other, though at separate churches.

Mr and Mrs Langley wed at Ealing at 1.30pm. Mr and Mrs Dean were at the altar 30 minutes later, at St Peter's, Loudwater.

The couples got to know each other when their sons attended the same school and became friends but it was a while before they found out they shared the same anniversary.

Mrs Dean said: "It was quite a shock when we realised. We were talking on our anniversary and I said, 'It's our anniversary,' and she said, 'It's mine,' and we came to the conclusion that we'd married within half an hour."

Mrs Langley said: "I think we did know our anniversaries were close but when we had our ruby wedding, we realised it was on the same day. It's hard to believe."

Both couples will be celebrating on Saturday with parties, though at different venues.

Mrs Dean said: "If we'd had a joint one, there wouldn't have been enough room."

Mr Dean, 71, a retired electrician, and Mrs Dean, 70, were engaged when Mrs Dean was just 17-years-old

Mrs Dean said: "When we sit down and reflect, we don't know where 50 years of marriage have gone."

The couple, who have a son, Paul, and a daughter, Tracy, have lived in Flackwell Heath for 41 years.

Mr Langley, 74, and Mrs Langley also have two children, Martin and Sue.