A COUPLE had to toast their golden wedding anniversary without family and friends present.

John and Jean Hamilton marked 50 years of married bliss last Saturday at their home in Prestonpans.

However, lockdown restrictions meant the couple were not able to share the day with their two sons or seven grandchildren.

John, 76, and Jean, 68, met at the Labour Club in Prestonpans in 1969, before tying the knot at Prestonpans Registry Office in May the following year.

They have two sons, David, 48, and Andrew, 45.

John, originally of Prestonpans, worked as a telephone engineer with BT, while Jean, who is from Cockenzie and Port Seton, worked as a secretary before going on to work at Muirfield Care Home.

The couple advised that sharing and facing everything together was the secret to their lengthy marriage, with the couple hoping to have a celebratory meal with their family once the restrictions are lifted.

In the meantime, Jean said there was not much to do to mark the occasion but joked about doing a waltz in the living room with John’s zimmer.

Their family said: “Happy 50th wedding anniversary! Love Andrew, Deborah, Nicole, Calum and Rebecca.”