A COUPLE who met while working in dance hall cloakrooms have celebrated 50 years of marriage.

Family and friends gathered yesterday to celebrate the golden wedding anniversary of Robbie and Bertha Walker, of Hipswell, Catterick Garrison.

The couple met at St Oswald's - now the civil service club in Catterick Garrison.

Mr Walker, 81, worked in the men's cloakroom, while his future wife worked in the women's.

After getting married, the couple lived next to the pub in Hudswell, near Richmond, before moving to St John's Road, in Hispwell, where they have lived since.

The retired civil servants have a daughter, Dihan, and two grand children, Peter and Joshua.

Mrs Walker, 72, said: "We've pulled together and shared everything.

"I don't care what people say, you don't get through married life without a few tiffs. But we've never had big rows."

Mr Walker served with the Navy before getting married, where he was reported missing in action.

Mrs Walker served with the Women's Royal Army Corps.