TWO couples from the region have been celebrating reaching landmark anniversaries.

Celebrating their golden wedding are Jim and Heather McKay, of Newton Aycliffe.

Mr McKay was a young postman in Darlington when he fell for the guest artist singing in the Transport Club, Tubwell Row, one night in 1955. He married singer Heather Swainston the following year in St Hilda's Church.

They moved to Newton Aycliffe soon after their wedding and have stayed there ever since.

Mrs McKay gave up singing to raise her three daughters, Dianne, Alicia and Heather.

Mr McKay, who served in the Suez with the Royal Artillery during the war, worked as a postman in Newton Aycliffe before joining a machinery company and later Eaton Axles before retiring early.

Mrs McKay, who is 72 today, said: "We know a lot of people in Newton Aycliffe but it is a long way from the little village we came to. It has become far too big."

They celebrated with a party in Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club for a few close friends and their family, which includes eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Meanwhile, Eric and Mary Armitage, of Tudhoe Village, celebrated their diamond wedding on Saturday.

The couple met at a dance in Spennymoor Town Hall and married 60 years ago in St Charles Church, close to their home. Mr Armitage, a Yorkshireman, was in south Durham to install heating in a factory at West Auckland.

Mrs Armitage was working in the accounts department at the Royal Ordnance Factory at the time.

They lived with parents until they found a house in Tudhoe and eventually built their own house.

Mr Armitage has travelled widely as an industrial pipework contractor with a Swiss company.

The couple were once both keen gardeners are were involved in the village show.

They have three daughters and a son, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren