SYLVIA and Bill Redhead celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this week.

The couple, who live at Springfield Lodge care home in West Rainton, near Durham, said they have stayed together through “thick and thin”.

When Sylvia was diagnosed with dementia, she moved into the care home, which is part of the Ascot Care Home Group, and husband Bill insisted on going with her.

His advice for a happy and long relationship, and on how to maintain a happy marriage, is: “I do as I’m told.”

The care home hosted a party for the couple on Wednesday, with cake, top-table guests, carnation button holes and a singer.

The couple celebrated their anniversary with four generations of their family, many friends, care homes residents and staff.

Care home manager Helen Reeve said: “Care homes make new memories and enrich the lives of our residents with laughter and smiles. We value the input from older people and learning from them and their lives.

“Because Sylvia has dementia, it is particularly important to make new memories, to show they can still celebrate, and so that it is never forgotten.”