CHILDHOOD sweethearts Eric and Annie Dyer have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

The couple from Newland Avenue, Clayton West, met when they were just 14 and 15 years old at a dance in Wombwell, Barnsley. They married at Darfield Parish Church five years later.

The couple have already enjoyed a holiday in Blackpool to mark their anniversary yesterday.

Mr Dyer, 80, worked as a miner at Wombwell and Monk Bretton, before a bad accident in the 1950s forced him to quit and work in the textile industry.

Mrs Dyer, 79, worked as a barmaid in several local pubs before also joining the textile industry.

The couple lived in Darfield until 1957 before moving to Clayton West.

They have one son, Fred.