A Darlington couple who celebrated 50 years of marriage yesterday have used their anniversary to raise money for the town's Talking Newspaper.

Bernard Hoare, 83, who is blind, and his wife, Annie, 93, have asked friends to give donations to the charity instead of buying them gifts.

The couple, who married at Holy Trinity Church, in Woodland Road, are marking the event with a dinner with friends at the Blackwell Grange Hotel.

Mr Hoare, a retired steelworker, said: "We don't need anything as we have been married for 50 years so it would be a waste of money for people to buy us presents.

"I can't read now because of my eyes, but I love the news so raising money for the Talking Newspaper seemed like a good idea."

Mr and Mrs Hoare said the secret of their lengthy marriage had been a good sense of humour.

"It is give and take as well," said Mr Hoare. "It has been a very happy 50 years."

The Talking Newspaper has been based at The Northern Echo's offices, in Priestgate, Darlington, since last year.