A COUPLE celebrated their blue sapphire wedding anniversary with afternoon tea and a card from the Queen.

Emily and George Simpson from Brompton, near Northallerton, celebrated the 65 year milestone on Monday.

They met in Woolworths in Bridlington during the second world war. Emily worked there and George was serving in the Green Howards.

They married in 1943 at St Gregory’s Church, Bedale, while George was on leave from serving in the Middle East with the 8th Army. They got married in uniform as Emily, 88, had joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force.

After the war the couple moved to Bedale, where George, 89, was born. He worked as an ironmonger, window cleaner and chimney sweeping until retiring in 1984.

Before Emily worked in Woolworths she worked in a factory making lampshades, one of which was used Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

After she married she became a housewife and worked as a supervisor on school buses. The couple moved to Romanby in 1994 before moving to The Orchards, Brompton a few years later.

George enjoyed gardening and was treasurer of the Northallerton Branch of the Green Howards Association for many years. Emily was an active member of the WI and Mothers’ Union in Bedale.

They have two children, Brian and Margaret, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Brian said: "I think it’s a wonderful achievement. In this day and age you don’t get people married that long. Yes they did have their spats but we all do and they always made up. Mum was always very caring, not just to use but for other people."

Family and friends joined the couple for afternoon tea at The Orchards on the eve of their anniversary when they cut a special cake. They received many cards, including a message of congratulations from the Queen. Donations were made to the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of gifts.