A COUPLE who met in a Crook dance hall celebrate 50 years of marriage today.

Ken and Gloria Louth, of Hall Lane Estate, in Willington, will celebrate their big day with a party at the local Workingmen's Club.

The golden pair met at Elite Hall, in Crook, where they both went regularly in the 1950s.

"We used to go dancing," said Mrs Louth, 68. "He was a good dancer, which is what first attracted me to him."

After courting for about a year, they were married in Bishop Auckland and have lived in Willington for the past 38 years.

The secret of their marriage, according to Mrs Louth, is to "be there for each other, and friendly - just be there, full stop".

She worked at Riding Hall carpets in Willington for 14 years before leaving to look after an ever-growing family.

The couple have two daughters - Yvonne and Christine - and a son, Ken, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Mr Louth, 73, worked as a miner in Willington and said the best thing about his wife is "everything - her looks, and I can't say the other".

Mrs Louth said of him: "He's very patient, very kind, very loving.

"Ken's had a lot of health problems, which is what makes this so special."