Lawrie and Alice Jewett spent their diamond wedding anniversary surrounded by their family.

Mrs and Mrs Jewett, of Joseph Patterson Crescent, Ferryhill, celebrated 60 years of marriage on Thursday.

The couple, both 81, were married at St Luke's Church, Ferryhill, on April 4, 1942, and have lived in the town ever since.

Mr Jewett worked as a miner for 40 years, then spent some time working for Flymo in Newton Aycliffe, before he retired in the 1970s.

Mrs Jewett was a munitions worker in Spennymoor throughout the Second World War, before concentrating on looking after her family.

The couple have three children, Kenneth, Kathleen and Leonard, and six grandchildren, Paul, Gary, Philip, Stuart, Greg and Paula. They also have three great-grandchildren, Channel, Courtney and Morgan.

They celebrated their anniversary with a quiet family party at the couple's home.

Mr Jewett said the secret of a happy and successful marriage was learning how to pull together.

He said: "We've had our ups and downs like every other couple, but there has to be give and take. That is the only way."