WHEN Ron and Vera Nowell married 50 years ago it was a quiet affair, with four guests attending the ceremony at Darlington Register Office.

Today, the couple will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary with a renewal of their marriage vows in church.

"We were married so quietly in the first place because Ronnie is from Wales and none of his family could come up," said Mrs Nowell, 68. "So this time we are having a great family and friends get-together."

Mrs Nowell (nee Lodge), a retired florist, met her husband when he was stationed at Catterick with the Royal Signals.

"He was a friend of my brother Kenneth. And Kenneth used to bring him home to Darlington for weekends because it was such a long way back to Cardiff," she said.

The couple have two children, Brinley, 48, and Shirley, 42. They also have four grandchildren.

Mr Nowell, 70, worked at The Northern Echo as a press assistant for 30 years.

He said: "To me, married life is marvellous. I have had a really good 50 years. We have worked as a team. I'm a very lucky man."

Mrs Nowell said: "We are like a pair of bookends. We have had such a happy 50 years together."

The couple, who live in Redworth Road, will renew their vows at St Mary's Church, Cockerton, followed by a party tonight at the Travellers' Rest.