A Second World War veteran who took part in the D-Day landings on his 21st birthday has married at the age of 93.

Harold Bradley, from Westgate, proposed to Doreen Jackson, 83, on Valentine’s Day this year before marrying her at St Saviour’s Church.

Only eight people were present at the secret wedding and Lorraine H-Hambidge was the photographer at the intimate ceremony.

The 52-year-old said: “Doreen phoned me the day after Valentine’s Day to tell me they were getting married.

“I had the utmost honour to take their wedding photos for them.

“Rod Stewart and wife Penny Lancaster sent their best wishes with a wedding card which was read out in the church.

“I had the utmost honour to take their wedding photos for them..." Lorraine H-Hambridge

“Doreen has no family but Harold was one of eight siblings so has lots of nieces and nephews.

“Nobody knows about it yet, apart from the people at the wedding, but they are going to meet Harold’s family this weekend.

“He said it’s going to be a huge surprise, with him saying ‘Here, meet the new Mrs Bradley’.”

In 2014 Harold met Penny Lancaster when she spent four days in Normandy as his personal photographer for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landing.

Mr Bradley landed on Sword Beach on June 9 1944, which was both D-Day and his 21st birthday, as part of the 3rd Division Field Artillery unit.

His mission was to take the town of Caen, the main target for D-Day itself.

After being overrun by German soldiers while setting up and manning a field gun post he was taken prisoner.

A telegram was sent to his mother saying ‘missing, presumed killed’ but towards the end of the war he was liberated from prison and returned home to England.

Mr Bradley spent time with the Queen and Barack Obama before having lunch with Prince Charles and Camilla during his 70th anniversary trip.

When he arrived home he and Doreen were invited back to Rod and Penny’s Essex mansion for afternoon tea and to meet their children.

Mrs H-Hambidge added: “I was a bit nervous taking the pictures at the wedding because I knew Penny Lancaster had been his photographer and I’m not a photographer by trade but my daughter, Raisa, helped.

“I met the couple when I was the organiser for the Poppy Appeal in Westgate, they were just so lovely and I became friends with them.”

The couple, who were both widowed, met at the retirement village where they live and became friends.

They plan to have a wedding reception with all their friends at the complex next week.