AN elderly couple have been reunited to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary after having to live in separate countries during lockdown.

Fred and Linda Smith were determined to be together to celebrate their anniversary after living separately in care homes in Spain and the UK.

Fred, 91, and Linda, 70, moved to Andalucía in Spain in 2000 and enjoyed many years together living in Linda’s beloved Mojácar.

Linda had previously run a bar and had a huge circle of friends in the town, where she met and married Fred.

But Fred’s deteriorating health meant he had to go into a care home in Spain and Linda had to make some big decisions about their future.

Linda moved back to the UK in December and moved into a care home, but the home she had chosen was not able to give Fred the medical support he needed.

Linda hadn’t seen Fred since September and said the lockdown had not helped his condition, so they quickly needed to find a suitable home where they could be together again.

Edensor Care Centre, in Orwell Road, Clacton, came to the rescue and offered them a place.

Pandemic quarantine protocols meant that they both had to self-isolate and couldn’t see each other immediately, but they were both overjoyed to be under the same roof.

Linda said: “It is so lovely to be living together once again with Fred, instead of being thousands of miles apart.

“It was amazing to be able to spend our 35th wedding anniversary together and we are looking forward to being able to go out together when restrictions allow and for Fred and I to be able to see the rest of his family.”

Muhammed Neeliyath, manager at the home, said it is offering expert nursing care for Fred while providing activities for the couple to enjoy.

“The Edensor team was delighted to be able to offer Fred and Linda a home together, that could provide Fred with the nursing care he requires,” he said.

“It was wonderful that they were able to reunite for their 35th wedding anniversary and the team and the residents thoroughly enjoyed celebrating this important milestone with them.”