A couple celebrating their diamond wedding are establishing a family tradition.

Ken Chambers' parents celebrated 60 years of marriage almost 40 years ago.

Ken, 83, and his wife Margaret, 82, have been married since July 31, 1945.

The couple met in Mrs Chambers' home town of Goole, Yorkshire, where Mr Chambers was posted in the RAF Regiment in 1941.

They exchanged 1,300 letters from when he was re-located to Lincolnshire until the end of the war, all of which they still have, stamped and bundled away.

Mr Chambers took his new wife back to his home town of Brighton and they still live in Whippingham Road.

Mr Chambers said: "It's been a wonderful life together and very interesting. If I had my life all over again, with all its ups and downs, I wouldn't change a thing."

Their son Nigel, 53, and his wife Jill threw a surprise party for them last Saturday.

The couple thought they were going to have a quiet meal at Oscar's in Portland Road, Hove, and were amazed when they realised every table was full of friends and family.

In 1967, Mr Chambers' parents celebrated their special day at a restaurant near the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, and their celebration was featured in the Brighton and Hove Herald.

Mr Chambers said he arranged for a telegram to be sent from the Queen to his parents, which involved writing to Buckingham Palace.

This time, he and his wife received a card from the Queen arranged over the internet.

He said: "At the time when my parents were celebrating their anniversary I was very pleased for them but I didn't give the time factor very much thought."

Mrs Chambers said the secret to a successful marriage was simple.

She said: "My saying is tolerance, understanding, with love."

Mr Chambers worked at the Regent Oil Company in West Street then moved to London when it became part of Texaco.

Mrs Chambers did charitable work while bringing up their only son.

The couple still work for Brighton and Hove's Talking Newspaper, having been involved since 1984.

They have two grown-up grandchildren.