A newly married husband and wife will form part of the borough's history after being the last couple to tie the knot at Richmond Register Office.

Julie Saunders, 59, and Paul Jafrate, 56, married at 1 Spring Terrace on Saturday, May 9, and were told on the day of their wedding they would be the last people to use the venue.

The couple, from Norwood Green, have been together for about 20 years and had planned to get married nearly 10 years ago, but the date continued to get pushed back after a series of family matters.

Mrs Jafrate said her mother had Alzheimer's diagnosed, her father developed lung cancer and her fiancée had a throat cancer diagnosis, meaning they could not consider planning their wedding until late last year.

She said: "We've been together a long time but we are stronger than ever now after 20 years."

The ceremony at the register office was attended by 40 friends and family members before the happy couple enjoyed an evening reception in Chiswick with more guests.

Mrs Jafrate added when they left their ceremony, the venue was marked as officially closed, meaning couples will now have to use York House for ceremonies.

She said: "It is really nice. They said our names were going down as the very last people.

"I have always loved Richmond and wanted to get married there. I have been to weddings there before and it is lovely. We are not religious people so for me, this was a lovely ceremony."

The couple are now enjoying a honeymoon in Monte Carlo.

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