THE sun was shining on George and Vera Iceton for their golden wedding anniversary, just as it had done on their wedding day 50 years earlier.

Mr and Mrs Iceton celebrated their special day with a horse and carriage taking them to a blessing at St Edmund's Church in Sedgefield, followed by a tour of the village and a family meal.

The couple then set off for a weekend break in Cumbria, with their sons Neville, John and David, their wives and six grandchildren.

Mrs Iceton, 71, said: "It's been a wonderful day, our sons have done us proud."

The couple were married at St Cuthbert's Church in Darlington on July 26, 1952, and then settled in Sedgefield.

Mr Iceton, 83, was a joiner and worked his way up to clerk of works, finally becoming a building surveyor. Mrs Iceton had her own hairdressing business in Sedgefield and in later years worked in nearby Winterton. She said: "I've had a wonderful 50 years with George. The secret is to work as a team together and look after each other."