Brian and Dolly Payne, of Robingoodfellows Lane, March, celebrated 50 years of marriage on Friday with a party for friends and family. The party, at the GER Club, raised money for Merchford House, March, the couple s doctors surgery, and for the cardiac w

Brian and Dolly Payne, of Robingoodfellows Lane, March, celebrated 50 years of marriage on Friday with a party for friends and family.

The party, at the GER Club, raised money for Merchford House, March, the couple's doctors surgery, and for the cardiac wing at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, where their granddaughter Ellie May, born with heart defects four years ago, underwent surgery but later died.

Mr and Mrs Payne met in 1955 when Mr Payne delivered drink with a Corona lorry to a house in Westwood Avenue, March, where Mrs Payne was a domestic worker.

They were two years later at the town's St John's Church.

Mr Payne, 71, had a number of other lorry driving jobs, the last of which was for Mark Judd at Manea. He retired six years ago after a stroke. Mrs Payne, 69, worked as a childminder.

The couple have four children; Denise, Dawn, Sandra and Alice, as well as two grandchildren.