A COUPLE who met at the cinema in 1948 will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow (Thursday 7 August).

After Bob and Margaret Trotter sat next to each other in Bishop Auckland's picture house they arranged to meet again.

They courted for six years before they married at St John’s Church in Sunnybrow, near Willington, on August 7, 1954.

Mr Trotter, 83, was a physiotherapist who sat as chairman of the bench for Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court from 1977 to 2000.

Mrs Trotter, 82, was a primary school teacher who worked up to assistant headteacher at Middleton-in-Teesdale primary school.

The couple went on to have two sons, and now have three grandchildren.

Mr Trotter said: “People often don’t believe us, but we have never had an argument or fallen out. We have always been great friends and we are both very tolerant people.”

They live in Barnard Castle, where they enjoy gardening and leisurely walks into the town centre.

Mrs Trotter added: “One of my fondest memories is from when we went to a Buckingham Palace summer garden party, it was a really beautiful sunny day.”

To celebrate, Mr and Mrs Trotter have organised a buffet and dance for their family and friends.