CATHY and Ted Emsden enjoyed an extra-special Christmas this year – it's also their golden wedding.But unlike most couples, they won't be able to flick through their photos of the big day – the photographer forgot his film.

CATHY and Ted Emsden enjoyed an extra-special Christmas this year – it's also their golden wedding.

But unlike most couples, they won't be able to flick through their photos of the big day – the photographer forgot his film.

"That was my brother" Cathy remembers.

"He was snapping away for ages and we never realised. It's disappointing that we don't have any photographs, but 50 years of marriage makes up for it."

The couple, who were married in 1952, celebrate twice as hard as other families on Santa's big day, as their anniversary falls on December 25.

They now live in Galway Avenue, on Ipswich's Whitehouse estate.

Christmas marriages were very popular in the 50s, but have gone out of fashion now.

Cathy, maiden name Garnham, thinks its probably down to commercialism.

"It seems to be all greed now, people don't celebrate Christmas as it's meant to be. It used to be more family.

"I had a Christmas wedding because my sister had done 13 years before, and everyone enjoyed it because it was that time of year."

Having a Christmas wedding certainly hasn't done the two any harm, Ted hasn't forgotten an anniversary yet and it always gives their family celebrations a bit of a boost.

The couple, who both came from big families, now have an extended one of their own, with two daughters, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

They will be celebrating in the New Year with a family get together.