AN ANNIVERSARY party was a real family affair for two couples from York yesterday.

Ann and Arthur Coatesworth, of Copmanthorpe, were celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, 50 years after tying the knot at St Nicholas's Church in Askham Bryan.

Their daughter, Susan Tomlinson, and her husband, Martin, married at the same church 25 years later and are celebrating their silver anniversary.

About 65 people were at a party at Dunnington Bowls Club to celebrate both couples' marital milestones.

Ann and Arthur's son, Tony, flew in from his home in Majorca, while grandson Joseph, 23, a soldier based in Germany, also surprised them by attending.

The Coatesworth's best man, 83-year-old Joe Carter, who now lives in Wiltshire, was also among the guests.

Arthur, 77, met Ann, 68, at the Territorial Army depot at Lumley Barracks, in Burton Stone Lane, when she was 17. They married when she was 18.

The couple, who now live in Copmanthorpe, spent most of their married life in Askham Bryan, where Ann was a prison officer at Askham Grange for 22 years.

They have three children - Lesley, Tony and Susan - and five grandchildren.

Susan, which lives on Acomb Park, said fate had thrown her and husband Martin together.

They had played together as children and Martin's best friend used to be Susan's boss. The couple started dating when they met at the Acomb Activity Centre.

Susan spent her first wedding anniversary giving birth to son Adam.

The couple also have twin daughters, Emily and Katy.