A CROOK couple who first met at a dance more than 60 years ago will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow (Thursday, March 7).

Charlie Hall met his future wife Nora at a dance in Esh Winning while he was working as a driver for the band providing the music.

They married two years later on March 7, 1953, and moved in with Charlie’s father in Crook.

For the past 40 years they have lived in a cottage in Garden Place off Church Hill, a house which Mr Hall discovered played a big part in his family history.

He said: “It was only after we moved in that I found out all my siblings were born in this house, I had no idea our family ever lived here.”

The Halls had two children, Lynn in 1954 and John three years later.

They now have four grandchildren and two great grandchildren who will help them celebrate their anniversary this weekend.

After completing his national service working as a crash tender driver in the RAF, Mr Hall spent more than 20 years working for Brough’s Grocery store in Crook delivering produce around the Durham Dales.

He then worked in numerous factories before his retirement while Mrs Hall has been a housewife.

The pair have also had a long involvement in Crook Cricket Club and the RAFA Spitfire Club.

Mr Hall joked: “What’s made us last so long is that I have always done as I am told.”

Mrs Hall said: “It’s all about give and take and compromise.”

Their daughter Lynn said: “They have always laughed together, there has been a lot of humour and they enjoyed doing things together, like dancing which they did for many years.”