A COUPLE who stepped out to mark a milestone in their lives have raised more than £500 for charity.

Keen dancers Jimmy and Irene Alderson, both aged 80, invited 130 friends and relatives to a dance in the Victoria Club, Consett, to celebrate their diamond wedding.

The couple, who live in Crookhall, asked guests not to give them presents, but to make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Relief instead. In total they received £566.

"It is a cause close to our hearts," said Mr Alderson. "Fortunately, we have not been affected by cancer directly, but felt it was an appropriate charity to support."

Mrs Alderson was born in Flint Hill, the daughter of bus operator Jackie Morris. Mr Alderson, a retired miner, worked at Lanchester and Iveston Coal Company in Hollinside until the early 1960s, when he moved to Eden Colliery.

The couple met at a dance and were married on November 11, 1944, in Harelaw Church, near Stanley. They had two daughters, Ann and Grace. They also have four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

It is the second time they have raised cash for Macmillan Cancer Relief. A similar request made to mark their golden wedding raised more than £400 for the charity.