AFTER sharing a working lifetime in the pub trade, a County Durham couple are celebrating 60 years of marriage.

Their chosen profession meant many moves for Douglas and Ann Eames who have lived in Wansbeck Close, Spenymoor, since retiring in 1984 from the New Inn, in Durham City.

They met at the start of the Second World War, when Douglas from Leicestershire, was sent to train at Raby Castle, near to Ann's home in Evenwood.

As a young soldier he was sent to Ireland, Norway and France before becoming a founder member of the RAF regiment in 1942, and serving as a flight sergeant instructor, in Wiltshire.

After the war, the couple lived in Evenwood, and then in Middleton-St-George where Douglas, now 82, was under manager at the Devonport Hotel.

They worked at the Angel Inn, in Durham, the Rising Sun, at Wallsend, and the Wrekendyke, in Wrekenton, before moving in 1973 to the New Inn.

Douglas had a successful partnership as a racehorse owner, and was chairman, and then president, of Durham Licensed Victuallers' Association.

They celebrated the occasion with a meal out with their son Martin.