A FAMILY business is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

The Crombies cafe in Tubwell Row, Darlington, has been in the Stehr family for three generations.

It attracts a wide clientele, including actors performing at the Darlington Civic Theatre.

Owner Frederick Stehr said: "It has always attracted performers, and when we used to have a hotel attached they would often stay there.

"Sam Kane and Linda Lusardi actually met in Crombies when they first appeared in the pantomime here - and they went on to get married.

"The last time they came back to Darlington for the panto they came to Crombies every day.

"I think people like it because we are one of the few places that still serves traditional English food.

"Obviously the menu has been modernised, but it is still the same principle."

The cafe was started by Alexander Jamieson Crombie and his wife, Katherine, in 1933.

Their daughter, Christine McCallum, Mr Stehr's mother-in-law, worked as a waitress when it first opened and took it over from her parents.

Mr Stehr and his wife took over in 1978.