THEIR wedding day was even better the second time round for Bill and Margaret Box, who renewed their marriage vows surrounded by family and friends at the East Lancashire Hospice.

Bill has been a day therapy patient for two years and the couple decided to include their many friends at the Park Lee hospice, Blackburn, in their 45th wedding anniversary celebrations.

Bill, of Ashgrove, Darwen, who has cancer, said: "It was a very special ceremony. Even the patients who were in bed were brought to the lounge so they could hear.

"The atmosphere was better than the first time, we were all one big family with the patients and staff and volunteers.

"We went through the whole service and one of the volunteers helped me stand up for the vows and while I put the ring on my wife's finger."

"It brought tears to my eyes, and my wife's eyes."

Bill, 69, and Margaret, 61, asked for donations to the hospice appeal for better day care facilities instead of anniversary presents.

Janet Alston, day therapy lead nurse, said: "It was an emotional service. We have an altar and it was almost like a church service. It was a lovely day for everyone."

More than 50 people attended the ceremony, including five of the couple's six children and many of their 22 grandchildren.

Margaret wore a red dress, jacket and hat made by her daughter Tina Kynoch and her bridesmaid was her youngest granddaughter, Lara Kynoch.

Bill gave Margaret a new wedding ring, as medication has caused her fingers to swell too much to wear her original ring.

The couple provided a buffet and volunteers made them a traditional two-tier wedding cake and flower arrangements.

But there can be no second honeymoon - the happy couple are too busy looking after their grandchildren!

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