More than 30 years after getting engaged, a loved-up couple finally tied the knot at a Welwyn Garden City-based charity’s in-patient unit.

After Sue and Tony Shelford got engaged 32 years ago, the pair finally wed at Isabel Hospice’s Sanctuary Room in Howlands.

They decided to get married after Tony, 52, was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and Isabel Hospice has been looking after him. The charity provides support to adults with life-limiting illnesses.

Around 20 family members and friends attended the touching ceremony, which saw Sue entering the Sanctuary to ‘I Knew I Loved You’ by Savage Garden. They also signed the register to Shania Twain ‘You’re Still The One’ – which appropriately has the lyrics “we might of took the long way, we knew we’d get there someday”.

Tony works for Sainsbury’s in Potters Bar, which paid for the wedding reception, and supplied champagne, refreshments and a beautiful cake.

Gill Macdonald, spokeswoman for Isabel Hospice, said: “Isabel Hospice has a philosophy of putting life into days where we cannot put days into life.

“The wedding of Sue and Tony is an example of this and we were truly delighted to be able to help them become husband and wife after all these years. There were lots of tears but also lots of laughter on the day, and we felt privileged to be part of such a special occasion.”