Frank Milford, half of Britain's longest married couple, dies aged 101

Frank Milford, 101, has just died, holding the hand of his dear wife, Anita, also aged 101. They celebrated their 81st wedding anniversary in June and, at the time, were Britain's longest married couple. They said the secret to their long marriage was 'give and take' and making up after rows with a kiss and a cuddle.

The couple met at a YMCA dance in 1926, two years before their wedding at Torpoint Register Office in Cornwall. They stayed in Plymouth throughout the Second World War and twice narrowly escaped bombing raids - including one which hit their house.

Speaking last year, retired dockyard worker Frank said: "We're always here for each other. It is all about give and take on both sides. You need a happy outlook and to just get on with it. I don't know where the years have gone to. It's marvellous really."

When interviewed in June, they said the secret to a lasting marriage is to iron out your arguments before bedtime, and share a kiss and a cuddle every night before bed. Mrs Milford said: "It's our golden rule. Couples these days don't last long because they often don't take enough time for each other. Our advice to young couples would be to make time for a little romance every day." Mr Milford added: "To win over your sweetheart you need a dose of old-fashioned chivalry and don't let your standards slip. We do everything together."

Frank and Anita had two children, as well as six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Mr Milford's 76-year-old son, also called Frank, said: "She's very upset obviously, but she was sitting holding his hand when he passed away." He said that despite his frailty, his dad had remained 'as sharp as a tack' and had not lost his sense of humour.

Reported in the Daily Mail, June 2009 and 2 September 2009