A BRIEF post-war meeting over the counter at a cafeteria led to a lifetime relationship for a young serviceman and a waitress.

Johnny Bunyan, from Camberley, in Surrey, ventured North after being called up to perform National Service with the Durham Light Infantry, in 1946.

During his initial training at Brancepeth Castle camp, he first set eyes on his wife-to-be, Hilda, during a trip to nearby Durham City.

She was working at the Vauderville Cafe, opposite the bus station in North Road, and immediately struck up a friendship with the young southerner.

He joined the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment and saw service in Africa, Greece and elsewhere in the Mediterranean, but the relationship continued, and he returned to marry Hilda at Durham Register Office, in March, 1948.

After completing his National Service, the couple settled in Sherburn Village, near Durham, where they have lived ever since.

Mr Bunyan spent his working life as a long-distance lorry driver, while Mrs Bunyan brought up four children, two boys and two girls, as well as working as an auxiliary nurse at the County Hospital, in Durham.

Their family has expanded, with the addition of 14 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.

In retirement, the couple have helped to run bingo sessions and other activities at the community centre in Sherburn Village, where they enjoyed their diamond wedding day celebration last night.

A lavish family lunch is planned at a mystery location on Sunday, a far cry from the delights of the old Vauderville Cafe, during the austerity of post-war Britain.