TWO couples are celebrating reaching landmark anniversaries this week.

Yesterday, Newton Aycliffe couple Norman and Cora Chambers celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a surprise party organised by their children.

And today, Tow Law couple George and Margaret Hope celebrate 60 years since their Christmas Eve wedding following a whirlwind romance.

Mr and Mrs Chambers met late in the summer of 1940 when they were working on the buses and, only four months later, they married at St Anne's Church, Bishop Auckland.

Yesterday, they enjoyed a meal at the British Legion Club, Newton Aycliffe, and were surprised when relatives dropped by to celebrate their blue sapphire anniversary.

The couple raised six children in Bishop Auckland -Delia, who died five years ago, Ivy, David, Ken, Norman and Lynn - and later moved to Newton Aycliffe.

Mr Chambers, who hails from Easington Colliery, was drafted into the RAF during the Second World War then worked as a crane operator overseas.

Mr and Mrs Hope met at a dance during his leave from the Royal Navy and kept in touch by letter for six weeks until he returned for the wedding at Bishop Auckland Register Office.

Because supplies were short, there was no lavish reception - just a meal with Mrs Hope's parents.

Mrs Hope, 82, said: "Everything was rationed and there was nothing to get. George only had a week before he had to go back to the Navy."

Mr Hope, now 85, started work at Wooley Colliery after the war and the couple moved into their present home on the Attlee Estate.

The couple have already celebrated their diamond anniversary with their family.

They have three children, four grandchildren and are looking forward to the birth of their first great-grandchild in the New Year.