A COUPLE who met as teenagers at a youth club are today marking their diamond wedding.

Clive, 81, and Ruth Hall, 79, of Haxby, York, met at the Old Priory Youth Club in Nunnery Lane, becoming an item later on when Mr Hall returned from National Service.

They married at the Holy Trinity Church in Micklegate and went on to have a daughter Annette and three grandchildren. Mr Hall worked as an apprentice cabinet maker and joiner before going to work in the building trade and Mrs Hall worked as a concession manager in Debenhams.

The couple said the secret to a happy marriage is trust. Mrs Hall said: “I can’t believe we have been married for 60 years. We have had happy times. We have had our moments of illness, but we have got through it with the help of our lovely daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren.”

She said they were delighted to have a surprise party thrown in their honour which was attended my many friends and family and even their best man, Peter Palmer.

A further celebration dinner is due to be held next month.