THE children of a couple who have reached their diamond wedding anniversary will take them on a holiday to Scotland.

Robert and Patricia Sams, of Masefield Close, Stanley, married 60 years ago yesterday, at the registry office in Harelaw.

They went on to have two children, Robert and Susan, and now have two grandchildren, Carla and Joanna.

Mr Sams, 84, was a bus driver for 25 years, and later in life took a job at the Ever Ready factory.

He said: "We are still very happy and the main thing is to persevere with each other and not hold grudges."

The couple will have a party at the Blue Bell, in Shield Row, Stanley, to celebrate, before their children take them north of the border on Sunday.

Mrs Sams, 82, said: "We have had a good life together and we cannot grumble.

"You just have to stick together, which is not what so many seem to do these days."