A COUPLE have celebrated their golden wedding with a family gathering at Bedale, North Yorkshire.

Brian and Margaret Hall were married in 1956 at Northallerton Methodist Church after meeting at a function at the local grammar school.

Mr Hall came from Aiskew, near Bedale, and his wife was born in Northallerton, where her father worked in the architects' department of the county council.

After two years' National Service in the RAF, Mr Hall, now 72, joined his father in running the family fish and chip shop, established in Bedale in 1934. He was at the chippie from 1959 until his retirement 14 years ago.

He has been a leading figure in cricket, football, golf, bowls and squash clubs at Bedale and is a member of the Rector and Four and Twenty charitable organisation.

Mrs Hall, 73, is a retired children's nurse who worked at The Close, in Brompton, near Northallerton, and at Oak Mount nursery in the town.

The couple, who live in Firby Road, Bedale, have four sons, a daughter and ten grandchildren.