A COUPLE who work as guides at York Castle Museum were revisiting their own past today as they renewed their wedding vows after 40 years.

John and Irene Dunn, who grew up and still live in Bootham, York, met as children and were married at St Olave's Church, Marygate, at 2pm, on May 15, 1964.

At 2pm today, they were celebrating their ruby wedding by returning to the same church for a wedding blessing ceremony.

They were being were joined by old friends and many colleagues from the museum, who were asked to wear black and white with a touch of ruby red.

Following the ceremony, a reunion party was taking place at the nearby Post Office Club, with entertainment from family and friends, including York singers Steve Cassidy and Carol Addy.

Irene said: "We were only 21 and 18 the first time we married and John didn't enjoy it that much because he was so nervous.

"We thought it would be lovely to do it again and we wanted to bring most of the people who have been in our lives for 40 years together."

Irene has worked in the recreated Victorian Street, Kirkgate, at York Castle Museum, for ten years, and John has been at the museum for five years, based in the Edwardian Street, Half Moon Court.

Updated: 09:38 Saturday, May 15, 2004