A COUPLE who were married 50 years ago at Milton Abbot were led back to the village on a surprise magical mystery tour to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary recently.

Charles and Nora Munro-Saure received a 'top secret' letter the day before their anniversary, instructing them to make their way to the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock.

Mrs Munro-Saure, who is 80, said: 'All we knew was that we had to keep that weekend free.

'We got to the Bedford and had the most delicious tea. We were told to pick up another envelope, but they wouldn't give it to us until after tea.

'We were directed to my sister's house at Milton Abbot and we followed a trail of golden balloons there.'

The couple's mystery tour ended at Leigh Farm — where Mrs Munro-Saure grew up and where her family had lived since the Reformation.

A huge family party of 23 celebrated Mr and Mrs Munro-Saure's golden day, which she said was a 'complete surprise'.

They attended a church service in Milton Abbot the following morning, where the couple's wedding hymns were sung once more.

'It was more carefree than when we were married. My husband was in the Navy and he had had orders to go away to Korea in a fortnight. I only found out about it in the vestry — he was away for 18 months!' said Mrs Munro-Saure.

The couple, who have four sons and 13 grandchildren, now live in Colyton but regularly keep in touch with Mrs Munro-Saure's two sisters who still live in the area.

They enjoy gardening and Mr Munro-Saure, who is 78, now has a new hobby — a computer given to him for their wedding anniversary.

'I think I'm going to be a computer-widow,' joked Mrs Munro-Saure, who said the secret of their long and happy marriage was keeping promises.

l Pictured right: golden couple Nora and Charles Munro-Saure.