A DIAMOND couple who make sure they laugh every day are today (Thursday, February 12) celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

Mary and John Hilton met while working together at the now defunct Belvedere Waste Paper Company, in London, before spending their first date roller skating in Battersea Park.

The couple married at St Mary’s Church, in Battersea, on February 12, 1955, but later moved to Epsom, in Surrey, and had five children - Jane, Tracy, Margaret, Reuben and Valerie, who passed away around three years ago.

During a visit to the area in 2001 to see their daughter, the pair fell in love with Darlington and have lived in the town ever since.

Mrs Hilton, 77, said: “We argue, don’t get me wrong, but if we have an argument we never go to bed without talking. One of us will always give in and start laughing.

“We have never kept anything from one another. We are laughing all the time.”

Mr Hilton, 78, who is also known as Bill, said the couple lived in a static caravan for around ten years when they first moved to Surrey, as they struggled to get a house.

“It was a hard life, but we wouldn’t change it. We are all happy,” his wife added.

During their 60 years of marriage, the couple have watched their family grow, with 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

They will celebrate their milestone anniversary with a family meal at The Burtree Inn, near Darlington, on Saturday.