JAMES and Doris Findlay did not have the easiest of beginnings to their marriage.

Having only been released from German captivity during the Second World War, Able Seaman James tied the knot with Doris before he set out to sea again for the rest of the war.

But thoughts of each other kept them going until they were reunited again for a relationship that has stood the test of time.

Speaking as they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, James, 82, recalled how they met at a dance in Willington County Durham, while he worked in mines.

At the outbreak of war, James went to serve on HMS Manchester, which was torpedoed and sunk off the Tunisian coast on August 13, 1942.

He and about 500 crewmen swam eight miles to shore, where they were taken captive.

They were taken on a "terrible journey" through the Atlas mountains and deep into the Sahara desert.

He said: "When I arrived at the prison camp, someone asked what day it was and was told it was the 20th of August. I had lost track of time and not realised it, but it was my 21st birthday."

After four months, he was released by Allies and returned to the UK, where he and Doris got married in June 1943.

It was not long before he was back out at sea, this time serving aboard HMS Tuscan, which was blown up by a mine. He then served on the Russian convoys.

He said: "I missed my wife a lot, but thoughts of her kept me going."

Doris worked as an Aycliffe Angel in the Aycliffe Munitions Factory, until she was forced to leave when a detonator accidentally blew up, injuring her fingers.

She said: "I always used to wonder where he was and what he was doing.

"When we got reunited, I was overjoyed and was not going let him leave again.

"Through the separation, our love had grown even stronger for each other."

The couple, who live in New Acres, Ushaw Moor, County Durham, have four sons, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, with another on its way.