A devoted couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary after being in tandem for more than five decades.

Love blossomed for Brian and Janet Varney after first meeting over a game of darts at the former Cap and Gown pub in Gorleston.

They dated for about two years before tying the knot at St Andrew’s Church in Gorleston on April 2, 1966.

In the decades that followed, they brought up sons Martin and Dean, and welcomed three grandchildren into their family.

To celebrate their golden wedding anniversary, they gathered at the Cliff Hotel, where they had held their wedding reception, where they celebrated the day with friends and family.

Reflecting on the secrets of a successful marriage, Mr Varney joked: “We never argue, we just don’t talk.”

He added: “We never have any tiffs we have always got on really well and enjoy spending time together as much now as we did then.

“We are just very compatible even though we have different interests.”

He added: “Janet likes to knit and read and I like to watch sport as much as I can and used to play football locally.

“But we enjoy going out together, going on trips and holidays around Norfolk.”

Mr Varney was 24 years old when he first met Janet who was then aged 17.

In those early days, and when learning of Janet’s age, Mr Varney contemplated splitting up fearing that she was too young.

His feelings for Janet however prevented that and he never looked back.

He said: “When I found out about the age difference at first I was a bit worried about the age gap and was considering whether it would work.

“But I liked her a lot and she liked me so we kept seeing each other and it went really well.

“Nine months later we were engaged, two years after first meeting we were married and then came two sons and three grandchildren, so all worked out in the end and it was the best choice I made.”

Now at the ages of 76 and 69, Mr and Mrs Varney say they live a relatively quiet life at home, enjoying time with each other and their family.

The pair have both spent the majority of their lives living in Gorleston.

After completing three years in national service based in Stradishall in Suffolk, Mr Varney later went on to work as a bricklayer until his retirement.

Mrs Varney worked at Johnsons shirt factory and later before moving on to work for Tracy Fashions.