CHILDHOOD sweethearts Ernest and Marjorie Hughes have celebrated 50 years of marriage.

The couple, from Chestnut Avenue, Spennymoor, enjoyed a party with family and friends at The Green Tree, in Tudhoe Village, on Saturday.

And all five of their bridesmaids were able to attend. Mrs Hughes, 74, said: "Not many people can say that they have had all of their bridesmaids at their Golden Wedding."

The couple met aged 16 at a dance at The Rink, in Spennymoor.

They were engaged for seven years before getting married at St Peter's Church, Byers Green, on June 4, 1955.

Mr Hughes, 73, was a miner and a councillor on both Spennymoor Town Council and Sedgefield Borough Council for 20 years. He was town mayor in 1985/86.

The couple have a son, David, and four grandchildren.