CHILDHOOD sweethearts who first met at school when they were five celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary yesterday.

Raymond and Gladys Shaw, of Dene Grove, Bishop Auckland, were in the same class at Shildon Council School in the 1940s, but did not get together until they were 17 and he was due to start National Service in Germany.

They married at St John's Church, Shildon, when they were both 20, a few months after he was demobbed. Their first house was in Byerley Road.

Mr Shaw was at the Shildon works and his wife worked at the National Clothing Company in the town.

They both came from large families and more than 300 people attended their wedding reception in the scout hall.

Five of their six bridesmaids are with them for their anniversary celebrations, including chief bridesmaid Marion Dunn, who made the cake.

The couple had three children - Paul, who died last year, and daughters Yvonne McCormack and Jillian Young.

They have seven grandsons who were all with them for a family party last night, three great grandsons and one great granddaughter.

Mr Shaw said: "We have known each other since we were in the same class when we were five and were friends off and on and went to the odd dance.

"We were 17 when we got together and 20 when we got married."