A COUPLE celebrated 60 years of married life by returning to the church where they said their vows.

Jane and Harold Applegarth were married at St Cuthbert's Church in Durham in 1943 and on Sunday the couple, who live in Darlington, returned to the church with their family to mark their diamond wedding anniversary with a special blessing.

The couple met when Mrs Applegarth's father brought Harold home from the army barracks where they both worked.

Jane and Harold were married two-and-a-half years later.

After serving in the army for seven years, Mr Applegarth, now 84, found work in Darlington and the couple moved to the town.

They have three daughters, Linda, Susan and Janet and four grandchildren.

They were joined by some of their family for the special blessing.

Mr and Mrs Applegarth both enjoy gardening and sequence dancing and last week a special anniversary party was held for them at the St Thomas Aquinas Hall in North Road, Darlington where they regularly dance.

Talking about the celebrations, Mrs Applegarth, 82, said: "We had a lovely party at the dance and then the church service was very special for us.

"I think the secret of a happy marriage is hard work and a bit of give and take."