Joy as Darlington couple mark 60th wedding anniversary

It all began back in the early days of the swinging 60s for Jim and Anita Allen, now 81 and 80 - who met in a Darlington dance hall in 1963.

When they met, Elvis Presley was topping the charts and teenagers were busting moves to Twist and Shout.

Jim and Anita Allen, who are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. (Image: MANDI ALLEN)

It was also the same year that Martin Luther King Jr. Gave his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech and The Beatles Released their first album 'Please Please Me'. 

Then, just a year after they met when they were just 19 and 20, they were happily married at All Saints Church in Hurworth on August 1, 1964. 

The couple, now in their eighties, are over the moon at the diamond milestone and will be taking a holiday later this year to celebrate.

Jim and Anita Allen, who are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. (Image: MANDI ALLEN)

Their daughter, Mandi Allen aged 54, told The Northern Echo how happy and lucky in love the pair are all these years later. 

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She said: "They are just both so happy - every year counts. They are set to go on a Caribbean cruise to celebrate later on in the year.

"I have always wanted to have what they have!"

Pictures sent in by Mandi show her parents all smiles, holding hands on that happy August day in 1964, dressed in a long, flowing white dress whilst sporting a signature 60s bob cut.