A Spennymoor couple chose to share their diamond wedding anniversary celebrations with a national charity close to their hearts.

John and Vera Tolley celebrated 60 years of marriage yesterday by asking for donations to be made to the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease instead of gifts.

The couple decided to support the charity because their daughter, Margaret Richardson, suffers from Crohn's disease.

Mrs Tolley, 83, said: "We would like to think the charity can help other people not to suffer like Margaret has had to. I am president of the Central Ladies Bowling League this year which means all the functions are in aid of the charity as well."

The couple's families were friends and during the Second World War, with John overseas in the RAF, they wrote to each other and romance blossomed.

They married in Easington Colliery and set up home in Spennymoor where they are still surrounded by their family, including granddaughter Sonya Goundry and great grandson Regan.

Mr Tolley, 84, said: "We've had a good life and are happy because we've worked at it and enjoyed ballroom dancing and playing bowls together."

Spennymoor town mayor and mayoress John and Davinia Culine and Sedgefield borough deputy mayor John Piggot visited them at their home, in St Andrew's Road, yesterday.