A COUPLE, who made national news when they married, celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss yesterday.

Tony and Margaret Gibson, from Newlands Avenue, in Bishop Auckland, tied the knot at St Andrew's Church, in Spennymoor, in 1957.

The groom's sister, Beverley, had been due to act as bridesmaid, but fell ill. However, the bride's cousin, Ann, filled in, wearing the same dress and the story appeared in the now defunct Daily Herald.

The pair met at the Rink, in Spennymoor.

"I was going out with her friend," said Mr Gibson, 70, who also forgot to bring the ring on the wedding day.

But his wife, 72, said: "I don't think the other girl was that interested. She told me to stick with him because he had a car."

Mr Gibson ran a butcher's shop in Bishop Auckland, before retiring ten years ago. He also served in the RAF.

Mrs Gibson, nee Dobson, worked for Durham County Council, and was secretary at St Helen Auckland Primary School. The pair put the secret of their marriage down to "a good sense of humour and a supportive family".

They have two children, Leigh, 48, and Craig, 45, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The family celebrated at Gabriele's, in Bishop Auckland.