AN active community member and his wife have celebrated their diamond wedding.

Thomas and Eva Nairn were married at Station Road Chapel, in Chester-le-Street, on September 5, 1942.

After spending their first years living in Chester-le-Street, where Mrs Nairn, 83, worked at Leggart's the saddlers, they moved away from the region, before returning to live in Bournmoor, Houghton-le-Spring.

Mr Nairn, 81, worked in mining and as a lay preacher in Chester-le-Street for 50 years, and has been a member of the Rotary Club for 40 years.

He is a Rotary Club past president, and has achieved the club's highest honour of the Paul Harris Fellowship for his work as district chairman of Rotaract and for forming two Probus clubs for retired professional and businessmen.

Last year, he was presented with a crystal fruit bowl for being a member of the Freemasons for 50 years.

Mr and Mrs Nairn have one son, George, a local historian, and celebrated their anniversary by having lunch at Lumley Castle with their family.

Mr Nairn said the secret of the couple's long marriage was keeping their wedding vows.