A COUPLE who have dedicated their lives to athletics in Darlington have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Bert Goodwin, 81, and his wife, Gwen, 82, met in 1939.

They were married in 1942 at St John's Church, Darlington, and spent their honeymoon in Scotland.

When the Second World War ended, Mr Goodwin worked to re-form the Darlington Harriers Athletic Club and become its president, as well as a qualified British Amateur Athletics coach.

He wrote a regular column in the sport section of The Northern Despatch, a former sister paper of The Northern Echo, and encouraged many world-class athletes to visit the area to compete.

Mrs Goodwin shared her husband's passion for sport and in 1948 helped to start the first women's athletics club in Darlington.

In 1972 the couple moved to South Africa where they lived for nine years.

Mr Goodwin retired in 1981 and the couple now enjoy seeing their four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

They celebrated their anniversary with family and friends - including old friends from South Africa - and their two sons, Ken and Ronald.