LIKE many wartime brides, a young teacher had just a few hours to arrange her wedding to her sailor groom.

In three hectic days, the soon-to-be Joan Harding left her job in Cumbria and sorted out all the details for the ceremony in a Newcastle church.

Over the next six years, Joan and new husband Grange were able to snatch only a precious few days together before he toured the naval battlefields as a lieutenant on the minesweeper HMS Pangbourne.

He maintained his Royal Navy links until 1972 when, at the age of 55, he was awarded the MBE for his service with the volunteer reserve.

Mr and Mrs Harding now live in Crook, where they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, first with their family, and then with friends from St Catherine's Church.

Both worked as teachers in the Newcastle area and lived in Fenham until seven years ago.

Now they live near their daughter, Jane Middleton, and her husband, Professor Roger Middleton.

The couple's son, Roger, lives in Hong Kong with his wife, Judi. Mr and Mrs Harding have six grandchildren.