CHIPPENHAM’S Ken and Christine Hatt received a surprise party on Saturday, as the couple celebrated their golden wedding.

Family and friends held the party at the village hall in Kington St Michael for the happily married couple, before they were whisked away to Weymouth where they originally spent the first days of their marriage.

“It was definitely a surprise and we had friends and relations there,” said Mrs Hatt, 68, of Town Close, Kington St Michael.

“I was overwhelmed.

“We got some lovely cards and flowers and lovely presents as well.

“I just want to thank everyone for the fantastic day, children, grandchildren, family and friends.”

Mr Hatt, 72, added: “They put on a buffet for us and people just kept coming and coming.

“I had to make a speech and I got quite choked up.”

The couple first met on a blind date in 1963 and attended Devizes Carnival together, before they eventually married at the church in Bromham on March 19, 1966.

The couple lived in Bromham, Calne and Chippenham before moving to Kington St Michael, with Mr Hatt working as a painter and decorator and Mrs Hatt working as a teaching assistant at schools in the local area.

They have three children, Kevin, Sue and Deb as well as six grandchildren.