ROSS PARRY SYNDICATION: Loving Ralph and Phyllis Tarrant are officially Britain’s oldest married couple – having just celebrated an astonishing 77 years of wedded bliss.

The sprightly pair, who have clocked up a combined age of 208, still live independently in their home in Sheffield, South Yorks.

Ralph is an incredible 107 years old, having just celebrated his latest birthday, while Phyllis is a comparative spring chicken at 101.

But despite their impressive ages they are determined to keep active, and can still be seen out and about on shopping trips and at lunch clubs, while Phyllis attends services at St Mark's Church every Sunday.

Ralph said he and Phyllis are very excited about reaching their two milestones - his birthday, and another wedding anniversary.

"It's still exciting when the Queen's card comes, even though I have eight now and Phyllis has two." he said.

Phyllis put the secret of their long-lasting marriage and relationship down to "getting on with each other, a good diet, exercise, avoiding cigarettes - and a tot of whisky each night".