Roger and Irma Miles, of Rougham, near Bury St Edmunds, celebrate diamond wedding

A couple who met by chance when one of them was on holiday in Suffolk are celebrating their diamond wedding today.

Roger Miles, 84, and his wife Irma, 81, of Mouse Lane, Rougham, near Bury St Edmunds, married in St Mary’s Church, Shephall, near Stevenage, on March 7, 1964.

The couple moved to Haughley straight after their wedding and later to Rougham in 1971 when Roger started a job at the village airfield.

Roger met Irma, who was living in Richmond at the time, by chance in 1959, when she was holidaying in Wyverstone, where Roger lived. He said: “I’m very pleased we did meet - I wouldn’t change it for the world. We did split up for a little bit as she lived so far away but then we met up again.”

The couple have two children, Jo and Darran, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren, all of whom live in the Suffolk area. Granddaughter Sam helped to organise the anniversary celebrations, which will be at the couple’s home with their family.

Roger spent the majority of his working life in the transport industry, after working as a lorry driver during his two and a half years of national service from May 1960 to October 1962. He later worked for Rougham catering suppliers Thomas Ridley.

Irma worked as a florist in Richmond, Stevenage and Hitchin and also had a part time job at a shop in The Traverse in Bury St Edmunds.

Of the couple’s favourite moments in their marriage, Roger mentioned a two week holiday to Jamaica for daughter Jo’s wedding, while Irma said: “I think meeting the Queen.”

The couple were invited to Sandringham for a garden party as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002.

“Roger delivered to the estate as part of his job,” Irma said. “There will never be another like her. It was brilliant, everyone was friendly and laughing and talking.”

And of the secret to such a long and successful marriage, Roger said working together and enjoying things as a couple were most important.

“We have always got on well all throughout,” he said. “We’ve always done things together, and just working with each other.”

Irma added that the longevity ran in the family. She has an aunt and uncle who hit the 60 year milestone and her brother is due to celebrate his diamond wedding next year.