A COUPLE celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with friends and family yesterday.
Ralph and Hazel McNeillie met at The Rink, in Spennymoor, before the Second World War and hit it off.
But when the Army sent paratrooper Ralph to India, they found it difficult to keep in touch until his return after the war, when their romance was finally able to blossom.
They married at St Paul's Church, in Spennymoor, where they lived before a move to the Midlands.
After having children - Margaret, Ralph and Marjorie - the family moved to Newton Aycliffe, where Donald, Linda and Colin were raised.
The couple now have ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Earlier this year Mr McNeille, 87, moved into Aycliffe Nursing Home, where his wife, 79, visits him every day.
Mrs McNeillie said: "We've had hard times and the odd argument but always got over them because love comes first."
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