Finding love later in life is never easy however, 73-year-old John Turner and 66-year-old Joyce Latham overcame the odds as they developed a relationship which blossomed into marriage.

Finding love later in life is never easy however, 73-year-old John Turner and 66-year-old Joyce Latham overcame the odds as they developed a relationship which blossomed into marriage.

The couple lived close to each other on the Blue Sky Homes development at Sunninghill Close in Bradwell and were both grieving for their long term partners when they met.

John said: “It was an incredibly difficult time for me, but thankfully I was surrounded by some good friends who encouraged me to keep active and attend some of the social events which take place in Sunninghill Close.

“I became a committee member of the local social club and nine months after my wife's passing I met Joyce who was also on the committee. She was able to offer me advice on how to cope with my loss and it was great to have a friend who knew exactly how tough it can be to lose a loved one”.

What started as friendship blossomed into love and one year on, John proposed to Joyce while on a cruise around the Canary Islands. A white wedding at St Nicholas' Church in Bradwell followed in June and the couple now live together in Sunninghill Close.

For the residents of Sunninghill Close - Blue Sky Homes park home estate - the happy event has come of less of a surprise. “Everyone on Sunninghill Close is really happy for us and several said they thought we might return from our cruise as a married couple. It is lovely to have something to celebrate with our friends and that's why one of the first things we did was to organise a party for the social club.”

Joyce said: “I never thought that I would be getting married again at my age but you never know what is around the corner and after overcoming such sadness, John and I are so happy together”.

Michael Timewell, director of Blue Sky Homes said: “We congratulate this lovely couple and wish them ever happiness. There is a real sense of community spirit and social opportunities are plentiful so friendships develop easily. Our Parks are specifically for retired and semi retired people and it is easy for residents to socialise and meet like-minded friends.”