A GOLDEN wedding anniversary gift that money just can't buy has been made possible by the Swindon Advertiser.

Josephine Tomes has been reunited with her bridesmaid and childhood friend Anita Burgess, who she hadn't seen for 25 years.

Josephine, 70, from Lydiard Millicent, appealed through the Adver last week to find her old friend and bridesmaid so she could attend her golden wedding later this year.

The story caught the eye of Anita's friends and family who passed her contact details on to Josephine through the Adver.

Josephine said: "I was over the moon when I got in touch with Anita. I now wish I had done this sooner.

"This time though I am hoping to stay in touch and I have told her that no matter what happens this time, we won't lose contact again."

Anita, from Northampton Street, was overjoyed to have the chance to catch up on some golden memories with her old friend.

She said: "At first I was quite surprised at how she found my number but then I was told that family and friends who had seen the article passed on my details.

"It was such a shock, but a pleasant one, finally to get in touch after all these years.

"There was no awkwardness and it felt as if it was yesterday and we were just carrying on a conversation from before."

Josephine's husband, Derek, 74, said: "It was lovely to see them re-united and they were both clearly overwhelmed by it all.

"They've got so much history together and so much in common. It even turns out that her partner is an old friend of mine so they were talking non-stop."

The article also reunited Josephine with Leigh Bizley.

Leigh, who is now Leigh Robinson, was a seven-year-old bridesmaid at the 1958 wedding.

"It was also such a nice surprise to get in touch with Leigh again," said Josephine. Her uncle, who is from Swindon, got in touch with the Adver and gave her details to me.

"Both Leigh and Anita will be coming to the anniversary celebration in August and I am looking forward to seeing them."

Leigh said: "Being in touch with Josephine was like stepping back in time. I was basically recounting my life and that was strange.

"I was only seven at the time of the wedding but I distinctly remember the dress I was wearing and how I had looked forward to that day. It was the first and only time I've been a bridesmaid."

The third bridesmaid at the 1958 wedding was Derek's sister Jennifer Sadler, who has confirmed she will be at the party.