A COUPLE were treated to a three-course meal for their diamond wedding anniversary by celebrity chef Brian Turner - thanks to their granddaughter. It was George and Voula Harding s anniversary present from granddaughter Rebecca James, a friend of the chef

A COUPLE were treated to a three-course meal for their diamond wedding anniversary by celebrity chef Brian Turner - thanks to their granddaughter.

It was George and Voula Harding's anniversary present from granddaughter Rebecca James, a friend of the chef since they met at a food show.

Close family members of the Chatteris couple were also treated to the salmon and avocado starter, roast lamb dinner main course and apple pudding dessert, at Rebecca's home in Station Street, Chatteris.

Elizabeth Cox, George and Voula's daughter and Rebecca's mother, said: "Rebecca went to his restaurant in London for her birthday and said to Brian she did not know what to get them for their anniversary.

"Brian said he would cook them lunch. He brought all the food to Rebecca's home, cooked it in her kitchen and did it all free of charge."

Rebecca first got to know Brian after he kept recognising her in the front row of audiences at the Good Food roadshow, which used to be held in Birmingham.

They have been friends since, with Rebecca visiting Brian's restaurant occasionally and Brian visiting her whenever he is in the area.

George, 82, met Voula, 80, in Greece, her home country, during the Second World War. They married in the Greek Orthodox Church, in Piraeus, on April 13, 1947, and held a second service at the Anglican Church, Athens, six days later.

A party to celebrate the second service was held at Chatteris Working Men's Club and was attended by about 130 family members and friends.

They had donations instead of presents and raised £1,200 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance appeal, and the floor appeal for the town's St Peter's and St Paul's Church.

George and Voula have a second daughter, Lynne Chitty, who lives in Pidley near Somersham, as well as four more grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.