A Worcester Park couple had a surprise 50th wedding anniversary when their children arranged for them to renew their vows.

Brian and Sylvia Ainsworth, 69 and 67 respectively, were married on February 12, 1958, at Kingston register office and their three children, Anita, Clive and Jim, arranged the surprise renewal ceremony for them at Lovekyn Chapel in Kingston on February 16 - laying on a decorated BMW to take them to the church in style.

Daughter Anita Tadd said the original 1950s wedding was a low-key affair.

"They married with just two guests, my mum's sister, Nancy, and my dad's cousin, Michael," she said.

"After the ceremony they went back to my grandmother's home and celebrated with a cup of tea - their honeymoon was a night in a hotel in Brighton."

This time, Mr and Mrs Ainsworth were lured to the church under the pretence of a family boat trip but, when the car stopped at Lovekyn Chapel, they found 30 family and friends waiting to join them for the ceremony.

"My mum, Sylvia had always admired Lovekyn chapel but was not aware that it could be hired for personal ceremonies, so it was a really special surprise," Mrs Tadd said.

The renewal certificate was witnessed by the couple's children and Mrs Ainsworth's sister Nancy, the only original guest from the wedding.

Mr and Mrs Ainsworth, who also have eight grandchildren, were then treated to a champagne reception and will continue the celebrations with a holiday to Barbados later in the year.

The couple enjoy attending antiques auctions in their spare time and Mr Ainsworth has earned the nickname Delboy for his get rich schemes and ability to scour for bargains at car boot sales.

Mrs Ainsworth said: "It was wonderful, a total surprise that we still cannot believe.

"It's a memory we will have forever."