A DEVOTED couple are preparing to celebrate six decades of marriage with friends, family and their former wedding party.

David and Jean Jamieson, who live in Romanby, Northallerton, will be joined for a restaurant lunch next week by their best man and bridesmaids, who watched them tie the knot on March 31, 1948.

Having served as an RAF pilot during the Second World War, Mr Jamieson, 83, spent time in the police before he started work at County Hall, in Northallerton, where he stayed for nearly 40 years.

He met Jean at the Golden Lion pub shortly after he was discharged from the RAF in 1947, and the pair were married at Holy Cross Church, in Swainby, months later.

Mrs Jamieson, also 83, served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during the war. She later worked as an auxiliary nurse at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.

The couple have two children, John and Hazel, and four grandchildren.

Mr Jamieson said: "I took a fancy to Jean straight away.

"We have had our ups and downs, like everyone, but then life would be very boring if you agreed on everything."

Mrs Jamieson said: "In the beginning, David was courting both me and my sister, and in the end, I said he would just have to choose between us. We have been together ever since.

"Our marriage has worked because we each have our own separate interests, including voluntary work and University of the Third Age, and so we always have plenty to talk about.

"I think that is very important in a marriage."