A COUPLE celebrating 60 years of marriage got the perfect start to their big day when they found a bottle of champagne decorated with balloons outside their front door.

Peter and John Martin, of Clifford Road, Princes Risborough, were blessed by the Rev Paul Fiske in St Mary's Parish Church, the same church where they were married. Mr Fiske also read out a greeting from the Queen.

Parishioners presented the couple with a signed card and flowers before they were swept off to meet 35 friends and family at a reception in Bradenham Manor, Bradenham Village.

Son Mike Martin organised the reception which drew old friends from as far as Scotland.

Memories of the couple's life were then shared by all when he put on a slide-show of their more special moments.

Peter, 84, and Joan, 81, have lived in Princes Risborough for all of their married life.

Mr Martin worked as an optician in Theodore Hamblins in Crendon Street, High Wycombe, before moving over to the Medical Eye Centre in Marlow where he remained until his retirement.

Mrs Martin said: "It was a wonderful day from beginning to end. Everyone went to so much bother making it so special and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves."