A COUPLE who met at a Darlington dance hall celebrated 50 years of marriage yesterday, at a hotel only yards away from where it all started.

Norman and Jean Telford married at the town's Eastbourne Methodist Chapel, in Louisa Street, about two years after meeting at the Co-operative Hall in Priestgate.

Half a century later, they were joined by family and friends at the Kings Head Hotel for their anniversary party.

Mr Telford, 91, who was born in Ferryhill, worked for Durham County Water Board for more than 40 years, originally in Darlington and later in Old Elvet, Durham, where his last job was as revenue officer.

He joined the Army in 1940, starting in the Durham Light Infantry and eventually rising to the rank of captain.

Mrs Telford, 84, was one of the Aycliffe Angels munitions workers during the Second World War, before joining the Naafi in Whessoe Road, Darlington.

The couple have two sons and two daughters together.

Mr Telford has one son and two daughters from a previous marriage.