Couple pose for a happy ending (From The Northern Echo)

Margaret and Michael Punshon repeat photos at Walworth Castle Hotel

9:01am Monday 15th February 2010 in News By Bessie Robinson, Chief Reporter (South West Durham)

NEW MEMORIES: Linsey Wraith photographs Michael and Margaret Punshon at Walworth Castle as part of a replacement wedding album Buy this photo »

A LOVE story ended happily on Valentine’s Day yesterday for a couple whose precious wedding day photographs were destroyed in a housing company blunder.

Margaret and Michael Punshon were heartbroken to lose the 16-year-old pictures and other treasured possessions when workers from Sedgefield Borough Homes mistakenly cleared out their rented garage in Gun Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Yesterday, they were able to smile again as they posed for a replacement wedding album before sharing a romantic lunch at a North-East castle.

Bishop Auckland photographer Linsey Wraith and husband Andrew played cupid for the couple after reading their story in The Northern Echo.

Mrs Wraith took a new set of pictures at Walworth Castle Hotel, near Darlington, where staff treated the couple to a three-course meal.

The day brought a much-needed new start for the Punshons, who have endured a difficult few months.

Mrs Punshon, a dinner lady at St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Newton Aycliffe, fought cancer last year and last week her daughter, Michelle, gave birth to a a boy, Jack, who weighed only 2lb and needs intensive hospital care.

Thankfully, Jack is doing well and the couple can look forward to the future.

Mrs Punshon said: “This really is a love story with a happy ending.

“We are still very much in love and enjoy being romantic.

“A lot of people have been very kind after what happened. We were very upset because we lost things that cannot be replaced, but this day is very special to us as it means a new beginning.

“Linsey and Andrew and the hotel have been absolutely marvellous.

“Relatives found some old pictures that will go into the album, so it will be very special.

“It won’t be going into the garage. It will have pride of place in the house, where it will be safe.”

Mrs Wraith said: “When I read what had happened to Margaret and Michael I was very upset for them, but al least I could do something to help.

“Wedding photographs are something that can never be replaced.

All we could do was to give them a day of new memories to share.”