IT may not be the Copacabana beach in Rio but there will be a distinct flavour of Brazil at the Bedford Hotel when a Tavistock couple celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on July 25.

Fred and Edwina (also known as Molly) Croft, who live in Maudlins Lane, Tavistock, will be celebrating their diamond anniversary with family and friends — and around 30 people will be coming especially from Brazil to join in.

The South American connection began when the couple's son, Nigel, who works as a consultant to the United Nations for the standardisation of quality management systems, married Brazilian Naila and they settled in Campinas, near Rio de Janiero. In 1989 Fred and Molly took the brave decision to emigrate to Brazil to join them.

It was a long way from their roots in South Yorkshire. Fred met his future wife at a dance in Rotherham in 1949, just after completing his National Service in the RAF. He became a salesman for British Steel, and worked there for 40 years, becoming manager of the commercial and administration departments before retiring.

Edwina, who trained as a teacher in Ripon, taught in schools in Rotherham, and went on to become a headteacher.

The couple married in 1953 and Nigel was born three years later. All three of their grandchildren, Stephanie, aged 26, Jessica, 23 and Jonathan 20, were born in Brazil.

Edwina said: 'When Nigel moved to Brazil we decided to emigrate. It was wonderful, the climate, the food the people. It was a great experience.'

However, with increasing dangers of violence in Brazil the Crofts returned to England in 1999. Nigel and Naila moved to Lewtrenchard and Fred and Edwina lived nearby before they later settled in Tavistock.

The diamond couple share a love of musicals — Fred was a member of a musical society in Rotherham, while Molly was a dancer. They also love gardening and travelling.

Edwina, 82, says of her husband of 60 years: 'Fred is always very kind and considerate and I love him very much'.

Fred, 84, was equally complimentary about his wife: 'She is very loving and caring. When I had bad health she has helped me through. I couldn't ask for anyone better.'

Their anniversary party may well be a colourful one with the Brazilian influence, but no doubt Fred and Edwina will raise a glass of sherry to celebrate the occasion — Croft Original, of course.