A CLUSTER of golden wedding anniversary couples, unable to celebrate at Buckingham Palace with the Queen and Prince Philip, were compensated with a special service at Blackburn Cathedral.

More than 300 couples from across Lancashire attended the shining occasion, including Joyce and Fred Burton from Cleveleys, neighbours Harry and Ethel Harris and Eric and Ann Shaw from South Shore.

Delighted Joyce said: "It was the nicest occasion I've ever been to apart from my wedding.

"The day was perfect and much more than I expected, I had a wonderful time and was proud to see so many couples still together after all these years."

"We applied to go to Buckingham Palace for the special garden party but were turned down.

"The service at Blackburn was a perfect compensation."

Harry Harris said: "Sadly, we weren't invited to Buckingham Palace so the invitation to the cathedral made up for our disapointment.

"The service was very well done and afterwards we were treated to tea and cakes.

"We were able to go with our neighbours, Eric and Ann, who were also celebrating their anniversary and together we had a memorable day."

Also attending were dignitaries from across the country including the Lord Bishop of Blackburn, the Provost of Blackburn, the very Reverend David Frayne and Lord Shuttleworth. Lord Shuttleworth told the Citizen: "As the Queen celebrates her golden wedding this year, she will be much in our minds, particularly after the sad events of early September.

"I hope this celebratory service came as some consolation for Lancashire couples who were unable to go to Buckingham Palace garden party."

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