TWO couples from the North-East who married on the same day and met by chance over half a century later have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversaries together.

Alan and Mary Williams, from Peterlee, County Durham, got talking to Fred and Bessie Biggs, from Billingham, on holiday in Llandudno six years ago and found they both tied the knot on September 4, 1954.

The two couples, who live ten miles apart, became friends and sent each other anniversary cards later that year.

But they were gobsmacked when they went all went for dinner while staying in a Scottish hotel days later and found they were sitting at tables next to each other.

Mrs Williams, a 79-year-old former factory worker, said: “You could not make it up. We sat there and I said: ‘I have just sent you a card’ and she said: ‘I have just sent you one’.”

Mrs Williams and her 81-year-old husband, who is a former miner, have two children, Kathleen and Ronnie, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

They met at a dance in Shotton and married at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in the village before honeymooning in Scarborough.

Mr Biggs, 84, is originally from Wolverhampton, and Mrs Biggs, 83, grew up in Haverton Hill, on Teesside.

They met while working at the Co-op in Stockton and married at St Cuthbert’s Church in Billingham before honeymooning in Blackpool.

They now have two sons, Kevin and Ian, seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

The couples now meet every year on their anniversaries and have been to Leicestershire, Bournemouth, Torquay and Scotland.

Mrs Biggs, who worked as a cleaner at Billingham council offices, said: “It is lovely. We enjoy each other’s company. It is so funny how it happened.”

Both couple have just got back from Weston-super-Mare where they had a joint celebration.

Mrs Williams said: “The hotel were fantastic and sat us all together with balloons on the table and a bottle of Champagne for breakfast. “They really looked after us.”

Both men admit the key to a long and lasting marriage is let the women in their lives have the last word.

Mr Williams said: “The thing is to do as you are told. I am allowed my own opinion, so long as I keep it to myself.”

Mr Biggs, who served as a fireman for almost 30 years, said: “The secret is to always let the wife have her own way. We are both under the thumb.”