AT the grand age of 94 and after 68 years of marriage Walter Marchant is still king of the billiard table.

Mr Marchant and his wife Reene, also 94, will celebrate their wedding anniversary on Sunday.

The couple will be joined by their two sons, two daughters, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

One topic of conversation to be discussed will be Mr Marchant's successful career an amateur billiard player.

He has more than 30 trophies and still plays non competitive matches regularly.

Meanwhile, Mrs Marchant has always been more interested in reading than billiards.

The couple, who live in the Elm Tree area of Stockton, met when they were both 20 and got married six years later at St James's Church in Portrack, Stockton.

Mr Marchant worked as a fireman and then an ambulanceman until he retired.

The couple have bought The Northern Echo all their lives.

Their daughter, Hane Henderson, said: "They're both totally independent and are looking forward to a small, family occasion at the weekend."