A COUPLE who married a year after they met - in hospital - celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary yesterday.

John Stove met wife-to-be Edna in Darlington Memorial Hospital when he was being treated for head injuries after a traffic accident Mrs Stove was on night duties as a nurse when she "fell for his lovely voice" and a year later they married.

Mrs Stove added. "He flirted with my junior nurse, and it was the only time I've ever been jealous."

They were both 22 when they met, with Mrs Stove adding: "As a nurse, it was against the rules to meet up with patients, so we made arrangement to meet in High Row when he was better."

Sixty guests turned up for the wedding in June 20, 1951, atwhich Mrs Stove wore a borrowed wedding dress because they were still living off ration coupons following the Second World War.

The couple, who live in Darlington, have two children and four grandchildren. They received a card from the Queen congratulating them on 60 years of marriage.

They celebrated their anniversary at Rydal Care Home, in Darlington, where Mr Stove, a former BT engineer, now lives.

They explained the secret to their long marriage was that they kept things the same, adding "We've never argued about money and we tell each other we love each other every day."