A COUPLE who hardly saw each other for the first six years of their marriage have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Doreen and Les Scott were married in St Paul's Church, Darlington, on Boxing Day 1940, but they hardly had time for a honeymoon because Mr Scott was in the forces during the Second World War and was only on 48 hours' leave.

Mrs Scott, 80, said: "He was called up before the war started, but we got married when he had 48 hours' leave before he went over to France. He was supposed to go for six months, but he was away for more than six years.

"It was very difficult at times because he was all over the place. He was in France, then went to Persia for two years and then over to France again."

Mrs Scott is unsure what first attracted her to her future husband, but she said: "I think I fell in love with his dog, never mind him, because he had a gorgeous alsatian."

After the war, the couple settled in Darlington and Mr Scott, now 82, returned to his job as a sheet metal worker on the railways. Mrs Scott spent some time working in an ammunitions factory in Heighington.

They live in Bates Avenue, Darlington, and celebrated their diamond wedding with a family get-together. They have three sons and a daughter, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mrs Scott said: "We've had a smashing marriage and we've got a smashing family as well - we couldn't have picked any better."