EDWIN Piper was in full flow in a singing competition when the woman he would marry saw him for the first time.

They may not have taken further notice of each other at the time, but Jean and he met eventually and their friendship went on to blossom into romance.

This weekend, the couple from Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, are celebrating their golden wedding with their family.

Mrs Piper, 68, said: "I first saw Edwin when I went to Castle's Ball Room in Catchgate, County Durham. I was 15 years old at the time.

"He used to enter crooning competitions and was singing.

"We all used to go to dancing and later we both started taking dancing lessons at the Shield Row School, where we learned the quickstep and waltz."

Mr Piper, 71, who worked as a coal miner, played in the jazz band The Phoenix.

The couple who have a son, Jeff, and daughter, Tracy, and two grandchildren, plan to take a holiday as part of their celebrations.