A WIFE who spent her first holiday with her future husband in Durham nearly ten years ago surprised him with a new bench in the city to celebrate his 40th birthday.

Sarah and Roger Walmsley, of Lincolnshire, fell in love with Durham on that first visit and have visited as often as possible ever since.

They were married at Durham Register Office in June 2010.

When the couple returned for Mr Walmsley’s 40th birthday, Mrs Walmsley surprised her husband with a commemorative bench on the city’s riverbanks.

Mrs Walmsley said: "Apart from the obvious beauty of Durham I think one of its biggest assets is its people.

"We have never been anywhere where so many people seem to go that extra mile for you. So after that first visit we vowed to come as often as possible.

"The simple fact is every time we visit it’s like coming home."

The bench surprise was arranged with the help of John Holmes, head of property at Durham Cathedral – which owns much of the city’s woodlands and riverbanks.

He said: "It was a privilege to be able to help Roger and Sarah celebrate in this way.

"Sarah’s generous gift of a bench to Roger, which can be enjoyed by many, is a very thoughtful gesture and I was delighted to be able to make it happen."