Love and laughter the key to Hartlepool couple's 60 happy years

Dot and Cyril Vaughan have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Dot, 77, and Cyril, 79, of Owton Manor, celebrated 60 years of marriage with a big family party at The Hourglass pub.

They met when Dot was 15 and Cyril was aged 17 – Dot had gone to visit her auntie and in the same street lived a group of lads including Cyril.

Dot and Cyril with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

They got talking and Cyril asked if he could walk Dot home. She said yes and they have been together ever since.

The couple were married on February 27, 1956, in the registry office then celebrated afterwards in The Sun Inn on the Headland. Dot was just 17 years old and Cyril only 19.

Cyril worked at the town’s steel works and Dot worked in Prices until she had their first child, daughter Dot McNally, now 59.

In total they have five children, four girls and one boy. As well as Dot there is Jackie Carrol, 57; Lynne Marshall, 53; Denise Vaughan, 50 and Kevan Vaughan, 45.

They also have 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Revealing the secret to their years together, Dot said: “We’ve loved each and every one of them and that’s what makes a very happy 60 years together, lots of love and  laughter.”

The couple were also delighted to receive a card of congratulations from The Queen.