A COUPLE from the North-East have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Harold and Ivy Bainbridge, who live in Bowburn, near Durham, tied the knot on November 25, 1944.

Mr Bainbridge had to take leave from the gun boat he was serving on during the Second World War to attend the ceremony at a church in Quarrington Hill.

The couple were both born in 1922 and Mr Bainbridge grew up in Quarrington Hill with his future bride in nearby Cassop.

The met at Cassop Infant School and got together as teenagers in the 30s and went on to have two sons and a daughter.

Their son, Fred, said: “They have known each since school so they were childhood sweethearts.”

The couple, now 92, have six grandchildren and six great grandchildren, and celebrated with a meal at Bowburn Hall on Sunday and family at their house for their platinum anniversary today (Tuesday, November 25).

Fred Bainbridge added: “There are not many couples make it to 70 years together. They enjoy simple things in life. They do not overcomplicate things and want for things they cannot achieve.

“They love their family and each other.”