DIAMOND wedding anniversary couple, Stan and June Briggs, say that working together and being good friends is the secret to their happy marriage.

The devoted couple, from Oakley Green, West Auckland, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary today. (July 2)

Stan, 81, and June, 80, have already marked the occasion with a meal out with Stan’s sister, nephew and his nephew’s wife.

Their two daughters, Pamela Gibbs and Alison McDonagh, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren live in London and the couple will be joining them on Sunday (July 5) to continue toasting the occasion.

The couple met 63 years ago when Stan took a shine to June at a works’ football match where he was a star goalkeeper with Shaw and Knight’s factory in Tindale, Bishop Auckland. June’s father worked with Stan, so the sports-mad 18-year-old cheekily asked if he could come to tea.

A two-year courtship followed and the couple were married in 1955 at the Wesleyan Methodist church on Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland - just before Stan did his National Service.

Mr Briggs worked a lot of his life as a groundsman and Mrs Briggs as an office worker at Bishop Auckland’s Alligator leather factory until Mr Briggs’ ill-health forced the couple to retire in 1994.

The couple, who have lived in West Auckland for 20 years after moving up from London, have some sound advice for youngsters who are thinking of tying the knot: “You have to work together and really enjoy each others’ company.”