Couple surprised with visit to Mansfield Church where they got married 60 years ago

Jon and Valerie Shepherd celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a surprise visit to St Marks Church, Mansfield where they were married

Wetherby residents Jon and Valerie Shepherd, both 83, were surprised by a trip back to Mansfield yesterday, on the anniversary of their wedding day.Valerie, who is originally from Mansfield, met Jon, from Derby, on a night dancing at Nottingham's Palais.

Simon Shepherd, Jon and Valerie's son, said: "My dad looked over at a sea of faces and their eyes met and he asked her to dance.

"They danced together all night, and at the end of the night he wrote her a love letter.

"They were engaged after only six weeks and were married six months later."

After a long and happy marriage, Simon and his brothers Neal, 55, and Mark, 58, arranged the visit to St Mark's Church, and the Masonic Hall on Nottingham Road, where the reception took place.

Simon said: "They hadn't been back to Mansfield for around 30 or 40 years.

"They are inseparable and have always enjoyed each other's company that's the main thing.

"From my perspective, I'm very lucky to have them, they're still in good health."