CLOCKING up over 200 birthdays between them, Hereford's oldest couple have celebrated another special occasion - 78 years of marriage.

Percy and Florence Arrowsmith enjoyed visits from friends and family at their Hereford home where they have lived for over 70 years.

At 103, Percy and Florence, 98, are one of the oldest married couples in Britain.

Incredibly the pair still enjoy a relatively independent life with helpers popping in to make lunch and assist Florence with domestic chores.

The Arrowsmiths were married at All Saints Church where they first met when Florence was a Sunday school teacher and Percy was in the choir.

The couple have a son and daughter, three granddaughters, one grandson, six great grandsons and three great granddaughters.

Quietly humming a merry tune, former Hereford Chorister, Percy recalled fond memories of his time performing alongside a 'pleasant' composer by the name of Edward Elgar.

Florence puts a long and happy marriage down to 'working very hard and keeping busy'.

The longest British marriage ever recorded lasted 82 years.