A couple who met as children celebrated their diamond wedding at the weekend.

Handley and Kathleen Burton, who now live in Rosedale Nursing Home, Catterick Garrison, met as children in Reeth.

For many years they ran Maxwell's television and radio shop in Northallerton, a business which their son and grandson continue.

Mr Burton, 82, was born at Askrigg, Wensleydale. He started courting his future bride - whose family, the Blenkirons, were well-known as builders and joiners in Reeth - when he was 15.

They were married at Reeth Methodist Chapel on her 21st birthday when Mr Burton secured a few days' pass home from war service with the RAF.

Mr and Mrs Burton lived in Reeth for five years and had two children, Bill and Tricia

They moved to Northallerton after Mr Burton became a partner in Maxwell's. During their working life, the couple enjoyed several business trips with the Radio and Television Retailers' Association, including visits to Japan and America.

Mr Burton was a member of Northallerton Rotary Club from its early days and a member of Anchor Masonic Lodge.

The couple have four grandchildren, Paul Burton, 29, Jane Burton, 26, who runs Merryweather's beauty salon, and Kate and Rose Proctor, 20 and 19, who are at university.

They celebrated the anniversary on Sunday with friends and family and made it a double celebration; it was also Mrs Burton's 81st birthday.