A COUPLE have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in style, surrounded by all their family.

Alistair and Mabel Wales, who met when they were 17 and have been together for 64 years, spent their anniversary enjoying afternoon tea at the Wynyard Hall Hotel before celebrating with a family barbecue.

The 81-year-olds, who have lived in Billingham all of their married lives, have four children, seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Mrs Wales said: "We met when we were 17, when Alistair and his family moved near to where I was living, and we have been together ever since. He was an apprentice at ICI and I was training as a shorthand typist.

"We got married on August 30, 1952, and have been happily married ever since."

Mr Wales said: "To celebrate our anniversary we were surrounded by all of our family, which made it a wonderful day."