A WEDDING day hiccup did not spoil married life for a Sacriston couple who have celebrated their diamond anniversary.

When Ronnie and Rosa Stewart tied the knot at Consett Parish Church in 1954 the photographer managed to chop off their heads on the photos of the big day.

Mrs Stewart, now 79, said: “We had to get dressed again and get the photographs taken for a second time and fortunately this time, everything went well.”

The couple had met six years earlier when Mrs Stewart was living at her father’s farm in Iveston while her future husband lived at Delves Lane.

He worked at Askew’s Butchers, making deliveries by bike, and then worked at a furniture shop.

Mr Stewart, now 81, later went into mining at Crookhall Colliery, before spending 21 years at Consett Iron Company until its closure and ended his working days as a caretaker in Berkshire.

To help mark their special occasion, the couple received a basket of flowers from the Deputy Chairman of Durham County Council, Councillor John Robinson, and his wife Maxine.

The couple have three children, Paul, Russell, and Rosalie, five grandchildren and two great grandsons.

They celebrated their anniversary with family and friends at Durham Radisson Blu and also enjoyed afternoon tea at Beamish Hall.

Summing up the secret of a long and happy marriage, Mrs Stewart said: “We enjoy working together. Pull together if you have an argument and make up as soon as possible.”