CHILDHOOD sweethearts, formerly of York, celebrated reaching their Diamond Wedding anniversary recently.

Richard and Barbara Turner met as children, when Barbara’s family moved into a house opposite Richard’s home in Clifton. They were married at Clifton Methodist Church on April 15, 1961.

Richard worked in transport for Rowntrees, and for the Ministry of Works at Clifton Airfield, before the couple moved to become live-in managers at Fairfax House, where they stayed until 2001. Barbara also worked as an administrator for the National Trust in York for some time.

The couple decided to move to Scotland in 2011 to be closer to their family, as Barbara suffers from dementia and lives in a care home.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple were separated for a year. However, at the start of 2021, Richard was allowed to visit his wife again - and he now makes weekly trips to see her.

On their Diamond anniversary Richard, their two children and four of their grandchildren were able to visit Barbara from a safe distance to help them celebrate reaching the 60-year milestone.

Richard also celebrated his 80th birthday on Tuesday (April 27) and Barbara celebrates her 81st today.