A clergyman and his wife celebrated their diamond wedding by laying on a three-course Sunday lunch for a church congregation.

The Reverend William Purvis, 82, and his wife Berlie, 85, a former nurse, organised the spread for about 60 people attending West Durrington Community Centre Church.

The couple later received a visit from the Mayor of Worthing, Councillor Eric Mardell, at their home in Cuckfield Crescent, Worthing.

Surrounded by more than 80 cards of congratulation, the mayor proposed a toast to Mr and Mrs Purvis, who were married on March 20, 1943.

The couple met at a school for Sunday school teachers in Harrogate. Mr Purvis was ordained in Chester in 1948 before moving to Bury.

The couple came to Worthing in 1974, when Mr Purvis became the minister of Shelley Road United Reform Church.

He said: "We came to visit our daughter and I preached at Shelley Road on the Sunday we were down.

"They took an immediate liking to me and I met the elders informally that evening.

"Subsequently the church invited me back with a view to accepting the ministry, which I did later in the year. I spent 12 happy years at Shelley Road before I retired."

Mr Purvis was for two years president of the Council of Churches, chaplain to Worthing Hospital for seven years and chairman of Worthing Christian Aid Committee for 12 years.

The couple have two children, Barbara and Alan; four grandchildren, Lucie, Gemma, Emma and Dan; and two great grandchildren, Rebecca and Gemma.

Mr Purvis, who is disabled, paid tribute to his wife, stating: "She has gone through hoops for me. She has seen me through thick and thin."