A couple who live in Darras Hall have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Jim (85) and Marian Falcus (81) married 60 years ago on March 4 1961 at Jesmond Presbyterian Church.

Jim is originally from Byker, whilst Marian is from Mill Hill in London.

Marian followed her parents and moved to Newcastle once she had secured her job in the cosmetics hall at Fenwick aged 19.

The department store was where they first met, with Jim working as an underbuyer there.

The couple have three daughters, Gillian (58), Louise (56), and Samantha (53).

In 1977, they opened a card shop, Best Wishes, in Newcastle’s Grainger Market.

They had the shop for 20 years, retiring in 1997.

The couple started married life in a flat in Gosforth, and also lived in Chapel House and Fenham before moving to Darras Hall in 1998.

They live on Errington Road.

Jim and Marian are members of local walking group, Ponteland meanders.

Jim is also a member of Ponteland Bowls and Marian is part of the local history group.

Daughter Gillian and her husband Alan live in Chapel Park. They have three children and five grandchildren.

Louise and her husband Stephen live in Ponteland, and have two grown up children.

And Samantha and her husband Graeme, who too have a grown up son and daughter, also live in Ponteland.

Although celebrations have been limited due to coronavirus restrictions, Marian said they might go out for a meal with their daughters and their husbands once rules allow.

“More than likely we will sort something out,” she said.

On what it has been like for the couple during the lockdowns, Marian said: “Not too bad, at least there are two of us.

“We have a sun lounge that was great last year with the nice weather.”

As for the secret to a long-lasting marriage, Marian joked: “Tolerance on Jim’s part!”