A VETERAN councillor and his wife shared their golden wedding celebrations with their nine children and their families at the weekend.

Alderman Warren McCourt and his wife, Bet are well known in their home community of Chilton, where they have lived all their married lives. They were presented with flowers and champagne by the Mayor of Chilton, Councillor Len Potts and his wife Christine, a Sedgefield borough councillor.

On Saturday night, they were joined by their seven sons and two daughters as well as other relatives and friends for a party in the Masonic Hall.

Mr McCourt, 79, who spent his working life as a miner in Dean and Chapter and Fishburn collieries, served on the old Sedgefield Rural District Council and later Sedgefield District Council for 37 years.

The year after he retired, in 1991, he was made an honorary alderman in recognition of his achievements. He was Chilton Labour Party secretary for 32 years and the party's group leader on the district council from 1973 to 1986.

He is especially proud that, after a campaign going back decades, the Chilton bypass is due to open in the summer.

He said: "It is going to make a big difference to Chilton. We have fought for it for years.

"It has always been a wonderful place to live. There are a lot of good people here."

Mr and Mrs McCourt met at a St Patrick's Day dance and were married at the Sacred Heart Church, Windlestone.

Coun Potts said: "They are very much respected in Chilton and everybody wishes them well."