COMMUNITY stalwarts Owen and Joan Peel celebrated 50 years of marriage at the weekend.

The couple, of Cemetery Road, Yeadon, who are both 70, met while playing tennis and were married at St Margaret's Church in Horsforth.

On Saturday, friends helped them celebrate their golden wedding at an open day at their home and on Sunday it was the turn of their family.

Over the years they have worked tirelessly for Aireborough Voluntary Services for the Elderly with Disabilities (AVSED) and the area's scout and guide groups.

Mrs Peel is also a keen Women's Institute and Mothers Union member as well as an enthusiastic gardener. While Mr Peel, for many years chairman of AVSED, is chairman of Otley Community Transport and is a licensed reader at St Peter's Church, Rawdon.

Mrs Peel, a former leader with 1st Yeadon Guides, retired from the pack five years ago.

When they were married Mr Peel was still in the services.

Mrs Peel said: "It was a nice day, my husband wore khaki and I wore a two-piece. I had one bridesmaid and we have always kept in touch and it is actually her Golden Wedding next week, which is nice."

Mr Peel, who has been involved for many years with the 16th Airedale Scout Group, has always lived in Yeadon.

The couple, have three sons, John, 48, Graham, 45 and Richard, 38, and two grandchildren, James, 17 and David, 14.

And over the years they have learned a few things about enjoying life together.

Mr Peel said: "You need patience and tolerance and you learn to live with each other over the years and change together.

"We keep occupied and try to find stress-free jobs to do."

And Mrs Peel said the secret of a long marriage was to have a laugh.

"We want to help others while we are fit. When we are too old, they might help us too", she said.