For the last time this century a repeating set of numbers occurred in the calendar and was the chosen date for one couple’s special day.

However, not only did Deborah, 52, and Dean Ward, 56, from Banstead, get married on Wednesday 12/12/12 but they were also celebrating 12 years of being together.

The couple married at Sutton Registry Office, 12 years after they bumped into each other in a road where they both lived in Raynes Park.

The pair had both just finished night shifts and Mr Ward persuaded Deborah to stay awake through the day with him – whisking her to a restaurant and even taking her skiing at Sandown Park.

Mrs Ward, who works as a nurse, said: “It’s crazy. We just thought about it two years ago.

“Dean just said ‘Why don’t we get married on the 12th of the 12th at 12 o’clock?’

“It was very romantic. It didn’t rain - it was very cold but nice.

“It’s just a piece of paper but it’s just romantic to do it on that day.

“He’s my soul mate. He’s a very very funny and genuine man.”

Mr Ward, who works in insurance, remembered that day 12 years ago and said: “We were like two school children who had bunked off school for the day and the rest, as they say, is history.

“She is beautiful. She is a very kind person – she would help anybody.

“Many times I have been wondering where she is and she’s gone to help in an accident.

“She’s one of the nicest people you could meet.”

Even though Sutton Register Office does not normally do weddings at 12pm the lucky couple grabbed the last slot in the diary and persuaded them to marry them at 12pm.

The couple had 65 guests at their wedding and in the afternoon headed to the Italian restaurant Mimi e Coco in Cheam.