WHILE County Durham's divorce rate is among the worst in the country, some couples buck the trend and go from strength to strength.

Percy and Emma Readshaw celebrated 60 years of marriage last November and reckon the key to their success is exactly the opposite as the root of many divorces - money.

The couple, of Mill Street, Willington, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, say the only thing they never argue about is money - the topic of countless rows that lead to the downfall of many a steady relationship.

Mrs Readshaw said: "We refuse to argue about it. We've had as little as everyone else and what we did not have we went without.

"True love certainly didn't run smooth for us - I've nearly run away many times - but divorce never occurred to us.

"I feel sorry for people who get divorced, especially if they have children. Some people are not content with what they've got.