A COUPLE who met at a popular South West Durham night spot have celebrated 60 happy years of marriage.

Wilf and Ida Watson were inundated with visitors to their home in Langmere, Spennymoor, who came to wish them well on their diamond wedding anniversary.

The couple married at the Holy Innocents Church, Spennymoor, on July 21, 1945, and say they have had a wonderful life together. It started the day they met at The Rink, in Spennymoor, a popular venue for dances in the Forties.

The couple danced together for the first time and have been together ever since.

Mr Watson, 87, said that he knew from the moment he set eyes on the young lady across the dance floor she was the girl he was going to marry.

Mrs Watson, 84, said: "He introduced me to his mother the next day as the girl he was going to marry!"

The pair have lived in Spennymoor all of their married lives and have enjoyed years of travelling abroad together.

Mr Watson worked at Dean and Chapter Colliery for 33 years before working at the Smart and Brown factory, Spennymoor, from where he retired.

They have two children, Barbara and Thomas, and two grandchildren, Donna and Michael.

Mrs Watson said: "We have had lots of flowers and cards. At first I didn't want any fuss but now it is here we are really enjoying ourselves."