A COUPLE are planning a romantic cruise to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

Doreen and Wilf Bowe, from Howden-le-Wear, celebrated 60 years of marriage yesterday, but are planning the cruise, which will travel to Venice, for later this year.

Mr Bowe, 82, said: "People are asking why we did not take the cruise on our actual anniversary, but we wanted to share it with our family so we chose to go on a later date.''

The couple have planned a quiet get-together with close family and friends on Saturday, and say they have been touched by the number of cards and flowers they have received, especially a card from the Queen.

They met in a pub at Bishop Auckland on their way to a local dance when Mr Bowe was on leave from the army and have been dancing together ever since.

They married at St Catherine's Church, Crook, and went on to have two children, Kenneth and Christine.

They now have four grandsons and have travelled the world on different cruises.

Mrs Bowe, 78, said: "There aren't many places we haven't seen. We have had a good life. We are always together.

"We are always socialising and perhaps that what keeps us young.''