A COUPLE have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with a return trip to the area where they first met.

Ronnie Baty met his future wife Betty when she would visit her sister Clara, and her husband Jimmy, who ran the Rookhope Inn, in upper Weardale.

Mr Baty lived in Rookhope with his aunt.

As they got to know each other, Mr Baty would travel to his future wife’s home in Durham City to visit her on his motorbike.

The couple married at St Margaret’s Church, Durham, on July 24, 1954.

They set up home in Rookhope, but moved to Framwellgate Moor, where they remain today, a few years later.

Today (Thursday, July 24), to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, their family took them back to Weardale for a meal at the Black Bull in Frosterley.

Unfortunately, they were unable to visit the Rookhope Inn as it is currently closed.

Mr and Mrs Baty, who are 82 and 78, respectively, have four children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A family spokeswoman said the love of each and every member of the family had been the cement which had held their marriage together.