MEMBERS of the Darlington branch of the Parachute Regimental Association will be renewing their marriage vows at a ceremony today.

Among the forces' veterans taking part will be branch president, retired Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Fitzroy-Smith, who has beaten the odds to still be alive.

Lt Col Fitzroy-Smith, was diagnosed with cancer two yeares ago, and at that time was told he had only three weeks to live.

He uses a wheelchair, but hopes to attend this afternoon's ceremony, at St Columba's Church, Clifton Avenue, Darlington, without it.

Lt Col Fitzroy-Smith, known to his colleagues as "Fitz", married his wife, Helen, in 1945, in Naples, Italy.

Mrs Fitzroy-Smith is a sufferer of Alzheimer's disease but is due to attend the ceremony, which starts at about 3.15pm.

The branch secretary, Alan Wright, said: "It goes without saying that our admiration for Fitz and Helen knows no bounds."

Lt Col Fitzroy-Smith led his branch's part in campaigns to have Scots Guardsmen, including Lee Clegg, who was jailed in relation to shooting at a stolen car in which two west Belfast teenagers were killed, released.

He served with the Green Howards and the 2nd Parachute Regiment in North Africa, Italy, Southern France and Greece.

Mrs Fitzroy-Smith served with field hospitals as a nurse.

Today's ceremony will be conducted by the priest in charge of St Columba's, the Reverend Simon Foster, who is also branch chaplain to the association.