A COUPLE from north Durham celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary over the weekend.

Gerard and Mary Kilty, both 81, from Phoenix Court in Blackhill, near Consett, were wed on March 22 1955 at St John’s Church in The Grove.

They went on to have four sons and two daughters and now have 18 grand children as well as 11 great grandchildren.

Mr Kilty, a former joiner, said: “It is amazing. We never thought we would get here. It means an awful lot to us.”

The couple celebrated with a family meal at The South Causey Inn, near Stanley.

Their daughter Mary-Rose Corr, 53 said: “It is a great achievement for them.

“They are thrilled they have got this far. They have done really well.”