WHEN Matthew Robson first met his wife-to-be at a cousin’s office party more than 60 years ago he was determined not to let her get away.

Having been told by Joan hat she frequented a dance hall, he made a point of going there to engineer a second meeting – and asked her out.

The 84-year-old couple of Coxhoe, near Durham City, fondly recalled their first encounters as they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary today (Thursday, November 26).

Their secret for long and happy marriage has been “give and take” and telling each other every day “I love you”.

Mr Robson said: “My cousin invited me to his annual staff party in Newcastle. I met Joan who was supervisor there and we got talking.

“I thought “I am going to see her again if I can”. She mentioned she went to a dance at the Rink in Spennymoor, so I made sure I went there.”

Mrs Robson added: “We hadn’t made any other arrangements to meet again, but he turned up at the dance and asked me to go out with him. I was surprised to see him there. I said yes and one thing led to another."

The couple married after a two-year engagement.

Mr Robson worked formerly as miner in the Bowburn, Thrislington and East Hetton pits.

The couple have five children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.