Childhood sweethearts who spent decades apart have tied the knot.

Peter Brown and Lynette Wilshere got hitched this weekend 54 years after first dating when they attended St John’s School in Epping.

The couple, of Sawyers Chase in Abridge, went their separate ways and only saw each other a handful of times, despite living just 15 miles apart.

Peter, 65, and Lynette, 64, got back together after bumping into each other last summer.

Mr Brown says that he feels as though “fate” brought the couple back together.

He said: “It was a wonderful day. There were about 50 of us.

“I feel like I’ve won the best one in the world.

“We really want to thank the best man John Mead and the man who gave Lyn away, Shaun Bronson. They did a great job.”

On Saturday friends and family gathered at St Mary’s Church in Lambourne End to celebrate with the couple.

A party followed the wedding at the British Legion club in Loughton.