GEORGE and Ruby Scott, of Blackhall, near Peterlee, have been reading The Northern Echo all their married life.

But this week they are making the news by celebrating their diamond anniversary.

Mr Scott, 81, originally from Trimdon Colliery, met his bride to be, from Trimdon Grange, at a local dance. They lived at Trimdon Grange and Trimdon Village before moving to Blackhall about seven years ago.

He worked at Fishburn Colliery for several years.

When the colliery closed in 1973, he went to work at the housing maintenance department at Sedgefield Borough Council, but finished his working days as chauffeur for the council's chairman.

During the war Ruby, 80, was an Aycliffe Angel, working in the well-known munitions factory but later was a bus conductor for TMS and, after that, a nanny at Trimdon Village Infants School.

The couple have two daughters, Ann and Linda Manson, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A party was due to be held for family and friends, including people from the Trimdons they have not seen for years.