A COUPLE who met at a dance at the Milton Rooms in Malton have celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Michael and Isobel Monkman were married on October 6, 1956, at St Peter's Church in Norton.

Originally from Strensall, Isobel, who is 80, moved to Malton at the age of 10, while Michael, 83, has lived in Norton all is life and had just come out of the RAF when the pair met at the weekly dance.

Isobel worked at a shoe shop in Saville Street, Malton, while Michael was at the Malton Bacon Factory.

Following their marriage, the couple lived in Norton and Michael went to work at Bright Steels where he remained for 36 years until his retirement.

They have one daughter, Valerie, who lives in Malton, and two grandchildren, Matthew and Charlotte.

Isobel said she and Michael had travelled all over the country together showing Afghan Hounds.

"It started when Valerie was a little girl and she wanted a dog to take to Malton Show, so we got our first show dog and it went on from there," she said.

"We now have friends all over the country and have won prizes at various shows, including Crufts. It has been a wonderful experience and one of the best things we ever did."

The couple celebrated their diamond wedding with family and friends at a surprise afternoon tea at the Steam and Moorland Centre near Pickering.