IT was a family affair at the weekend for four Herefordshire couples whose years of married life add up to a grand total of 230!

Diamond couple Tom and Madge Pritchard (nee Amos) brought about the special occasion by having their marriage blessed last Saturday at Ocle Pychard Church.

The pair, from Newton Farm in Hereford, revisited the scene of their marriage back on February 17, 1944.

Tom and Madge's romance blossomed at a function in Pontrilas and they now have four children, 10 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

However, Tom, aged 84, and Madge, 83, were not the only long-lasting pairing at their blessing because they were joined by three other special couples.

Remarkably, the three husbands in that scenario are Madge's younger brothers: Les Amos and twins Wilfred and Cecil Amos.

Les has been married to Doreen for 58 years, Wilfred has been married to Joyce for 56 years and Cecil has been married to Mary for 56 years.

More than 100 family members and friends, including relatives from the United States, joined in the special weekend.

Tom and Madge recalled spending their first date at 'the pictures' in Hereford.

Tom was then serving in the famous Eighth Army Desert Rats and among the first to return home at the end of the Second World War.

After leaving the army, Tom became a lorry driver, a chauffeur and worked on the railway, among other jobs.

He was also keen footballer and played outside right for Burley Gate, Kingstone and Ewyas Harold.

By May 1954, the couple had moved to their present home in Masefield Avenue, Newton Farm.

Madge, originally from Ocle Pychard, devoted much of her time to raising their four children, two sons and two daughters.

She also delivered bread and groceries for the Co-op.

Revealing their secret for a long-lasting and happy marriage, Tom said: "I think it's important to have a good understanding and a sense of humour.

"We don't argue and we have never had a cross word."