A TRIP to the cinema led to 50 years of wedded bliss for Jim and Jean Appleby.

The couple, from Birtley, who have two children and three grandchildren, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Mr Appleby, now 71, went with a friend to the local picture house in Birtley to see the Cliff Richard film ‘The Young Ones’ when he spotted Jean with someone he knew.

The two pals hopped in the seats next to the young girls and struck up a whispered conversation.

Afterwards, Mr Appleby walked Jean to the bus stop and there began a two-year courtship which led them to get married in Birtley Methodist Church in September 1964.

Jim said: “I was 19 when we met and Jean was almost 17 but once we announced the engagement her parents said we had to wait a year until they could save up for the wedding.

“That suited me because I couldn’t get hire purchase to buy furniture for our new home until I turned 21.”

The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a small party involving friends and family.

Mr Appleby added: “I always say the best thing that happened to me was meeting Jean and whilst like every couple we have had our ups and downs in life, we have had a happy life and hopefully there is even more happiness to come.”

To mark their anniversary, Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association, whose property the couple live in, presented them with a bouquet of flowers.

Chief Executive Paul Mullis said: “We do this for all our residents who celebrate significant birthdays or anniversaries and it was lovely to hear Jim and Jean’s story of how they met.

"We wish them all the very best for the future and hopefully I will be visiting them again in ten years’ time when they celebrate their diamond wedding.”