A COUPLE celebrated their 70-year wedding anniversary with hundreds of their family and friends.

Ray Stevens, 96, and his wife Dot, 92, celebrated 70-years of marriage with a cream tea at Rayleigh Baptist Church in High Street along with 120 of their friends and family.

The elderly couple who are the heads of a family of 39 even welcomed their first great great grandchild to the celebrations which included a pianist, table quiz and a presentation of Ray and Dot’s life together over the past 70 years.

The church was decorated in celebration of the couple’s anniversary and they were dressed up for the day themselves.

Speaking about the day, Dot said: “It was wonderful to have everyone with us for the day.

“Inside the house right now are 85-cards from everyone who came to the church.

“My bridesmaid from when Ray and I married even came down from Brighton, it was amazing.”

Ray and Dot are yet to receive their customary letter from the queen after hitting the milestone which has become a formality since they hit 60-years.

The couple were very happy to see so many at the celebration.