A COUPLE’S love for one another and a strong family have given them 60 happy years of marriage.

Eric and Margaret Raine, of West Cornforth, met as teenagers at the village’s ‘tanner hop’ dance and after Mr Raine completed National Service with the Durham Light Infantry they married at Coxhoe Methodist Chapel, on the day of Durham Big Meeting.

The Northern Echo: Margaret and Eric Raine of Maple Grove, West Cornforth celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary today. A copy pic from their wedding day.

Margaret and Eric Raine on their wedding day

They lived with Mrs Raine’s parents in West Cornforth, then spent five years in Newton Aycliffe before returning to the village.

Mr Raine worked as a haulage driver and plant operator then at Black & Decker and Mrs Raine’s jobs included running the laundry at Aycliffe Approved School, lollipop lady in Cornforth in the 1970s and at Thorn.

They have son David, 51, daughter-in-law Janice and granddaughters Vicky and Kim.

They have enjoyed dancing and travel and adore pet dog Max.

Celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary today Mr Raine, 81, said he has learnt to ‘yes dear’ often and Mrs Raine added: “It has gone quickly, we’ve always been happy together and we appreciate our lovely family.”