IT has been 60 years since a Dad's Army unit fought its way though a snow storm to make sure a North Yorkshire couple got to their wartime wedding ceremony on time.

But despite another winter flurry this year, John Cole and wife, Margaret, didn't have as much trouble celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

Much of the partying was done over the weekend when their two daughters, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren were helping them mark the marital milestone.

The couple met at a dance in Newsham, near Richmond, in 1938 and married at nearby Kirkby Hill Church three years later while Mr Cole, now aged 85, was on a week's leave from the army.

They now live not far way, in Fontenay Road, in Richmond, and remember their wedding well.

"We married on the Wednesday in a snowstorm," said 80-year-old Mrs Cole.

"The Home Guard dug us out to get from my mother's home at Washton to the church and back again for a reception. We went on to an evening party at Newsham and had quite a job getting back through the snow."

After 1941, Mr Cole saw action in Egypt, Sicily and Italy before returning home four and a half years later.

The couple then took a cottage at Newsham and Mr Cole began a 20-year career with the family haulage company.