WHEN Jean Crane got married she always knew if she had children they would have a father Christmas. For the man she was marrying was Christmas Palmer and last week the Gorleston couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

WHEN Jean Crane got married she always knew if she had children they would have a father Christmas.

For the man she was marrying was Christmas Palmer and last week the Gorleston couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Christmas had been a naming tradition in the Palmer family for seven generations - however it wasn't to be for the eighth generation as the couple broke with tradition naming their only son Christopher.

The couple met on Great Yarmouth's seafront in 1948. After a three year stint in the Army, Mr Palmer, now 81, worked for the then Hippodrome Circus owner Billy Russell, running horse racing game the Kentucky Derby.

He recalled: “One evening I set my eye on this young lady. It was love at first sight.”

The couple began dating and were engaged by the December of 1948.

Mrs Palmer, 79, said: “I think we always took it for granted that we would get married.”

They were married at St Andrews Church, Gorleston, on June 21, 1949. Recalling the day Mr Palmer said: “It was a lovely day. Everything went without a hitch.”

The couple lived with Mrs Palmer's parents before moving to the prefabs in Gorleston, then to their current home at Kings Road.

Mr Palmer worked as a milkman for 35 years and had rounds in Yarmouth, Caister, Belton, Burgh Castle and Bradwell.

“I used to be up at 4.30am every morning. I liked the job because I was out in the fresh air.”

He worked at Birds Eye for a few years before retiring at 60.

Mrs Palmer worked at Woolworths in Yarmouth, in the old store in Regent Road, before giving up work to have a family.

Commenting on the demise of the high street brand Mrs Palmer said: “I was really sad to see it go. I had loved working there.”

She later returned to work at Magdalen Stores for 17 years before retiring.

Mr and Mrs Palmer have one son, one grandchild and one great grandson, who helped them celebrate their 60 year milestone.

“I just can't believe it's been 60 years, our son had to remind us,” said Mrs Palmer.

“It feels great to reach your diamond wedding anniversary,” said Mr Palmer, “we still kiss each other goodnight every night and if we do argue it's forgotten about the next day.”