A COUPLE from Darlington are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary today.

It was a case of love between the ledgers when Harry and Hilda Rogers started an office romance days after the outbreak of the Second World War.

Mr Rogers left the treasurer's office in 1941 to join the Royal Air Force but he got engaged to his sweetheart first.

Mrs Rogers stayed at home and worried while he flew Lancaster bombers on raids over Germany.

But on September 16, 1944 the pair tied the knot.

He left the RAF in 1946 with a DFC and AFC medal and began training to become and accountant.

Twenty years later the couple moved to Darlington when Mr Rogers was offered the job of treasurer with the local authority.

Following the local government shake-up of 1974, Mr Rogers became the first chief executive of Darlington Borough Council.

Today, the couple are celebrating 60 years of wedded bliss. Mr Rogers said: "We have always got on extremely well and really enjoyed each other's company.

"The secret of a successful marriage is that there should be a basic honesty and then it is all about sharing."

Mrs Rogers' jobs have included leading firewoman, clerk, cashier, child care, social worker and marriage guidance counsellor.

She said: "I used to think we would be lucky to see the Millennium when we met - it seemed like such along way off. But we have passed it and here we are now."

Mr and Mrs Rogers will be celebrating with family and friends this weekend. They will be joined by their children Rosalie, Jon and Mark along with their six grandchildren.