David and Lydia Taylor had all five generations of their family helping them celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

The couple, who have three children, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, six-month-old baby Josh, held a party at the Firtree Inn for their family on Saturday.

They received a telegram of congratulation from the Queen to mark the event.

Mr and Mrs Taylor, who live in Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, were married at Bishop Auckland Register Office on February 1, 1941.

Mr Taylor, 82, who is a Freemason, worked as a fitter and turner for the Wolsingham Steel Company for 25 years, which included a stint making rudders for Royal Navy destroyers during the Second World War.

He later worked as a maintenance engineer at Crossley's, in Middlesbrough, at Thorn Lighting, Spennymoor, and at the Marshall Richards engineering company, in Firtree, as a gardener, before finally deciding to retire at 73.

The couple's anniversary celebrations continue this weekend with a party for friends.