A COUPLE have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, putting their wedded bliss down to never falling out.

Thelma and Ted Reed have travelled all over the world during their time together, but both are well-known in Prudhoe, where they have lived together for decades.

Thelma, who was born in Prudhoe, has raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support through various activities over the years, while Ryton native Ted worked at Kimberly Clark – now Essity – for decades.

Thelma said she first set eyes on Ted at a dance. “I was 16 before my mum allowed me to go to the dances,” she recalled.

Ted added: “When you were single, you did the Bradford Barn Dance. You carried on until you got someone you fancied, then you stopped!”

Ted and Thelma were married two years later, and went on to have three children. The couple also now have seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild, with the family all still living locally.

Ted shares a big passion for horse racing with his son, and together they’ve been to almost every racecourse in Scotland.

“They’re spoilt!” said Thelma. “Everybody says so but that’s what they’re for – to spoil them.

“All the family live close, it’s nice to have them close. They’re all good.”

The couple celebrated their anniversary on September 12, and received a card from the Queen which stands proudly next to a photo from their wedding day.

And both shared their secret to a long, happy marriage.

Thelma said: “I’m still here, put it that way! The secret is don’t have any secrets. We’ve never fallen out, and we’ve never looked back. He’s lovely. I’ve never wanted a thing. We’ve had a lovely life.”

Ted added: “She’s the best wife in the world. We’ve been married 60 years, and we’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve never fallen out.”