SPENDING time together as a couple was a Christmas Wish come true for June and Tom Jones.

The grandparents were treated to a meal for two at Hotel 20, formerly known as the Kings Arms, in Old Town, after being nominated by their friend Lorraine Clarkson.

June and Tom’s daughter-in-law, Claire Marshall, was killed in Cumbria in 2009 and the couple have been looking after their granddaughters ever since. June, 65, said: “The meal was lovely because Tom and I don’t go out together anymore because we are looking after the girls.

“The girls have come first in our lives for the past three years. We don’t have a social life any more but we don’t mind. It is just something we have had to cope with as a family.

“It has been three years and the girls are getting over the trauma of it.”

Claire, 34, was brought up in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, by her dad Jim and mum Marjorie.

She married June and Tom’s son but they divorced about 12 years ago. The couple still kept in close contact with her.

Claire was later killed by her ex-boyfriend, Benjamin Cooper, who is not related to June and Tom.

Cooper was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court in 2010 to a minimum of six years for public protection before he is entitled to apply to the Parole Board for release.

Tom, 63, and June, who live near Old Town, are looking after their biological grandchildren, a 19-year-old and a 16-year-old, and also another of Claire’s children who is now seven years old.

The couple were treated to a three-course meal with wine at Hotel 20 and George Lesley also donated a bouquet.

In her nomination, Lorraine said: “In January 2009 June and Tom’s daughter-in-law was murdered, leaving three young daughters without a mother and father.

“June and Tom did not hesitate and travelled to Cumbria to bring the girls to live with them.

“June had to give up a good job at GWH to look after the girls. Over the past three years they have always put the girls first and have not spent much time together. It would be great for June and Tom to spend just a few hours away from the girls and have time on their own.”