A DIAMOND couple were finally reunited for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak so they could celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in style together.

Lovebirds Dennis and Beryl Rogers have been unable to see each other during the lockdown.

Dennis, 83, suffers from dementia and has been at Riverdale care home in Braintree since October last year, while Beryl, 84, still lives at the couple’s home in Witham.

She has been unable to visit her hubby during the lockdown because of the risk of spreading infection.

But care home staff organised a surprise visit on the couple’s big day so they could finally be together again.

Dennis surprised Beryl with a handmade card, a vase of flowers and a bottle of Buck’s Fizz to toast 60 years of happiness together.

Beryl said: “It was so beautiful and unexpected.

“The staff made a wonderful job of how they set this up and what they have done. It was so much more than I ever expected, and I will never forget it.”

The happy couple still had to stick the two-metre rule due to government guidelines, but didn’t let that spoil their big day.

Their love story began when they first met at a dance at Tottenham Palais.

Beryl said: “Den went with his mate to make up the numbers ... but got stood up!”

The couple married in 1960 and went on to have three children.

They now have three grandchildren and have just had a new addition to the family, with their first great-grandson.

Care home deputy manager Donella Gibson said it had been an emotional diamond anniversary.

“It certainly brought a tear to the eye,” she said.

“Dennis recognised Beryl straightaway and said how beautiful she looked.

“It really was a truly magical moment.

“Beryl got very emotional because he had made her a vase out of a bottle.

“He really went out of his way to make a special effort for her.

“Our chef made a beautiful cake as well and Dennis and Beryl had Champagne under the gazebo so they spent some very special time together.”