A GREAT Dunmow couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the same restaurant where they marked their half century together. Geoff and Joyce Little, of Woodview Road, dined out at the Saracens Head Hotel on Thursday, 10 years after they had a sur

A GREAT Dunmow couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the same restaurant where they marked their half century together.

Geoff and Joyce Little, of Woodview Road, dined out at the Saracens Head Hotel on Thursday, 10 years after they had a surprise party there.

Then, the ex-farmers appeared in The Broadcast after their sons, Tony and Brian, staggered into the hotel carrying a whole side of bacon.

Daughter Becky Durston said: "Another 10 years has passed and my parents have still never said a cross word to each other - if any couple deserves to win the Dunmow Flitch then they do. But they would be too shy to take part in the famous flitch trials."

The Dunmow Flitch Trials is held on a leap year and gives the opportunity for couples to prove to a jury that they had never argued whilst married. Successful winners receive a whole side of bacon.

Mr and Mrs Little farmed in Barnston and High Roding for 45 years after meeting in Sussex while working on neighbouring farms. They were married in Joyce's home town of Chesterfield, Derbyshire on March 19, 1949, before moving to High Roding.

Joyce said: "We are still going strong and we are both looking forward to a year of celebrations including the wedding of our grandson Jay.