A DIAMOND couple who met purely by chance at a West Auckland dance are celebrating 60-years of marriage.

Roy and Joan Douthwaite, of Watling Road, in Bishop Auckland, will mark the anniversary tomorrow. (Thursday, November 27)

They met by chance at the dance which Mrs Douthwaite only attended because her friend wanted to go.

Mr Douthwaite said: “When I first saw her I just thought this is the woman for me.

“We are still in love. We’ve had ups and downs but I don’t think it’s ever got serious enough to be an argument.”

Originally from West Auckland, Mr Douthwaite, 82, joined the RAF for three years and spent time in Iraq and the Persian Gulf as a flight mechanic.

Upon returning home he headed to the dance where he met Joan and he asked her out.

The couple were married at St Helen’s Church, in St Helen Auckland on November 27, 1954.

Mrs Douthwaite, 79, worked in a shoe shop and as a conductress for Eden Buses while her husband was a welder at several places including Shildon Works and Cleveland Bridge.

They celebrated with a family party and they have three children Barbara, Stephen and Scott, plus seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.