A DIAMOND couple have said the key to a happy marriage is laughter and ‘getting on with it.’

Bill and Betty Marley, who are celebrating sixty years of marriage, met in 1953 in Spennymoor.

“We both used to go dancing on a Friday night at Clarence Ballroom in the town, when we met I was 19 and Bill was 21.” Mrs Marley said.

“There was lots to do when we were younger and I can remember cheeky chappy here coming over to talk to me.”

The pair later married at Bishop Auckland Registry Office on March 28, 1955, and went on to have a son, Keith, who gave them a granddaughter, Helen.

Mr Marley, 83, added: “Keith comes to see us every night after work, he is marvellous.”

The couple first lived together in Ferryhill Station whilst Mr Marley worked at the local colliery, before they moved into a family home in Spennymoor where they lived for 38 years.

“We’ve been on lots of nice holidays, I can remember flying to Tenerife drinking champagne because we had won a quiz.” Mrs Marley, 81, added.

“The key to a happy marriage is just getting on with it and laughter, we definitely laugh a lot.”

Now, they enjoy listening to music from Dorothy Squires and Malcolm Roberts on their iPads and to celebrate their anniversary the couple are spending time with their family.