A proud couple from County Durham have this week celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, marking the occasion with family and friends.

Muriel and Ralph Cummings, aged 91 and 95, were married in Horden at St Mary's Church on August 8, 1953 - 70 years ago.

Since then, they have had four children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, with two more on the way and are now expecting their first great, great, grandchild in February next year.

They have also been lucky enough to have travelled the world together and now live together in Grampian Court Care Home in Peterlee.

Now, the sweethearts who have lived in Horden their entire lives, have celebrated their 70th (known as their platinum) wedding anniversary this week and even received a card from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

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The Northern Echo: Muriel and Ralph Cummings on their wedding day in 1953.Muriel and Ralph Cummings on their wedding day in 1953. (Image: ALEX CUMMINGS)

The Northern Echo: Ralph reading a card from the king.Ralph reading a card from the king. (Image: ALEX CUMMINGS)

One of their four children, Alex Cummings, spoke to The Northern Echo about his parents as they mark this momentous occasion.

"They met and married when they were next-door neighbours, so they were like the boy and girl next door.

"My dad worked as a miner, whilst my mum stayed at home and raised the four of us."

The Northern Echo: Muriel and Ralph on their wedding day.Muriel and Ralph on their wedding day. (Image: ALEX CUMMINGS)

The Northern Echo: The Cummings Family.The Cummings Family. (Image: ALEX CUMMINGS)

The whole family gathered together on the day at the local pub in Peterlee, where Alex's daughter made a beautifully decorated cake for all to enjoy.

For Alex, seeing his parents celebrate this milestone is a "spectacular" moment.

The Northern Echo: Muriel and Ralph Cummings cutting their cake at their celebration.Muriel and Ralph Cummings cutting their cake at their celebration. (Image: ALEX CUMMINGS)

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"It's spectacular, it really is. Both of my parents are in their nineties and they grew old together and never separated - they still live together in the care home.

"It's brilliant, and they are the type of parents who really would really do anything for you and we have great memories together."

Alongside their photographs, Muriel and Ralph even saved a clipping from the local newspaper that announced their marriage, which now acts as a special keepsake to not only remember their day but also as a symbol of their 70-year-long marriage.

The Northern Echo: A clipping of the pairs marriage from the newspaper in 1953.A clipping of the pairs marriage from the newspaper in 1953. (Image: ALEX CUMMINGS)