Bob and Mary Twinn have enjoyed celebration parties to mark their Ruby, Golden and Diamond Weddings.

But this week when it came to their 70th anniversary the couple from Bournmoor, near Chester-le-Street, opted for a quiet family get-together.

Mr Twinn, 91, and his 88-year-old wife married at Lumley Church in 1934.

Their family gave them a picture of the church to mark the occasion and they also received a card from the Queen.

Mr Twinn, who was born in Chester Moor, worked as a miner first at Fence Houses and then at Monkwearmouth before joining his son, Robert, in a family butcher's business retiring at the age of 81.

Mrs Twinn, from Lumley, was in service after leaving school until she married. The couple have a son Robert, daughter Sheila Elliott and twins Mary Green and Elizabeth Swinburn.

Their family now also includes five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

The couple attribute their successful union as "always working together".

Their daughter Sheila said they were "great parents who have always been there for us.''