A COUPLE who first caught each other’s eye on a bus trip to Blackpool today (Thursday, June 26) celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Greta and Ivan Humes, both 83, marked the occasion at Durham House Care Home, in Chester-le-Street, where Greta is resident.

Mr Humes said: “I was with some lads travelling to Blackpool and she was a her friends, when she caught my eye for the first time.

“We never saw each other until a month later when met in at a dance at the Empire ballroom in Chester-le-Street.

“She must have noticed me the first time because she remembered me straight away.”

Mr Humes, who was an apprentice mine surveyor, lived in Chester-le-Street at the time, while Greta lived at nearby Shiney Row.

He went on to work as a surveyor at pits throughout the area, including at Pelton, South Pelaw and Chester Moor. When he retired Mr Humes was a senior surveyor with Northumbrian Water.

Mrs Humes worked as a baker until their two children were born. She then worked as a receptionist for dentist Robert Thursby, in Chester-le-Street, for 25 years.

The couple have a daughter Diane, 53, and son Gary, 51, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.

Mr Humes of Kingsmere, Chester-le-Street, said: “The home put a turn on. It was really nice. The whole staff was tremendous.”