A COUPLE who painstakingly organised a party for their parents' golden wedding were shocked to discover the bash was also for them.

Chris and Margaret Tomes were married on March 22, 1958, at St Mary's Church in Rodbourne.

Twenty two years on, their son Paul married Diane Welch at Swindon Registry Office on the same day.

And on Saturday their families flocked to Swindon and Cricklade Railway in Tadpole Lane for a party to celebrate both couples' extra special day.

"We had thought the party was going to be for them all along," said Diane.

"It was amazing we were just totally shocked."

Paul and Diane were presented with a romantic four-day coach trip to Paris, a place Diane has always wanted to visit.

Margaret, 68, from Moredon, said the idea came up because her son and daughter-in-law were always too busy celebrating her and Chris's anniversary to mark their own.

She said: "They planned a huge surprise for our ruby wedding anniversary and they took the back seat as usual.

"So I thought it would be nice to throw a celebration for them.

"I am so happy for them.

"It was a great evening. It is quite a big deal to get to 50 and 28 in this day and age."

The party included a buffet diner in antique railcars, a magician and a costumed bunny rabbit along with all night drinking and dancing.

"It is going to be a special night because the only time this many people from our family usually get together is for sad events," said Kerry Ann Davies, 31, Paul's sister.

She said: "The whole family was there and we have all been through a lot recently so it made the night even more special.

"There are 19 grandchildren here and 10 great-grandchildren.

"We thought it would be nice to have the celebration on the train because my father Chris and brother Paul love trains.

"It's their passion - they collect them and restore them and volunteer at the railway.

"I think they became interested in them because we used to live in Dean Street and all the old steam engines used to go by.

"The two of them still have electric train sets in their houses and pictures all over the walls."

Paul, 48, said he was thrilled with the surprise and looks forward to taking the train to Paris.

He said: "I have never had a surprise like this before, I thought it was going to be all about my parents.

"This has been a big surprise and the trip to Paris will be the cherry on top."