Diamond couple Jack and Irene Collier ended up marking their 60th wedding anniversary behind closed doors because of the coronavirus lockdown.

But the grandparents from Minster, Sheppey, still managed to celebrate in style thanks to some hectic behind-the-scenes work from their son Ian in Gravesend and their daughter Helen 11,000 miles away in Auckland, New Zealand.

Ian said: "Our celebration plans for them went completely out the window so Helen arranged for as many of our parents’ local friends as possible to send them their best wishes on the day using Facebook."

Ian also arranged for a specially-framed anniversary message from the Queen to be delivered along with a copy of a personalised newspaper.

Irene, 81, said: "We had a very nice day in the end. Lots of people contacted us on Facebook and we received many cards, some from people we didn't even know. One New Zealander who lives on Sheppey even dropped off some sweets as part of an old Maori tradition."

The couple also received a takeaway meal from the Queen Phillippa restaurant in Queenborough, a bottle of Champagne and a cake from Cakie Wakie.

Office-worker Irene was 19 when she met 24-year-old steelworker Jack at a dance in the Ritz Ballroom, Manchester.

She recalled: "I went with a friend. Jack asked me to dance and we arranged to meet the day after."

Jack, 86, said: "Manchester was really rocking in those days with the sounds of the big bands."

They married on April 2, 1960, and in 1972 they moved to Sheppey so Jack could work at the newly-opened Sheerness Steel Mill.

He said: "I can still remember driving through Iwade. It was raining and there were elm trees on either side of the road. But it felt a really friendly place. We've never regretted moving here."

And the secret of a long marriage? Irene said: "You both have to be tolerant and learn to give and take."

When the situation improves, Helen is planning to visit from New Zealand for a "proper" celebration with friends and family.

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