DIAMOND couple Kenneth and Kathleen Watson celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss yesterday.

The couple, of Carmel Road South, Darlington, were married at St Luke's Church, in Maidenhead, Berkshire, in 1945.

Darlington-born Mr Watson, 81, married on his 21st birthday, after serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the war. He set up his own garage business in 1960 after leaving the Army.

Mrs Watson, 77, who has had numerous heart operations, said her husband's support had been invaluable. She said: "It's not been easy, but my husband has been a brick. People have said to me, 'are you going to get a diamond ring to celebrate?'. But I tell them no, I've already got my diamond in Ken."

"We always intended to go and live in Maidenhead when I retired in 1989," he said.

"But then Kathleen's heart got worse, so we wanted to stay in Darlington because of the marvellous treatment she had received."

They marked the anniversary with a family meal at Walworth Castle on Sunday.

The couple have one daughter, Maureen, 59, two grandchildren, Leslie, 38, and David, 34, and a great-grandson, Jack, aged eight.