After 70 years of wedded bliss, couple 'who liked to sit holding hands' die within hours of each other

A devoted couple who were married for nearly 70 years have died within 11 HOURS of each other.

Their true love story ended when Bert Swan, 93, passed away from a chest infection in the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, Wiltshire.

His wife Doreen 91, had died earlier in the day at their nursing home. But Bert was never told of her death.

The couple had moved into the 62-room Merlin Court nursing home in Marlborough because they could no longer look after themselves at their home in Ramsbury.

Devoted: Bert and Doreen Swan always greeted each other with a 'kiss on the lips'

They were in different units as Doreen had dementia But they always gave each other 'a kiss on the lips' when they met.

And they just liked to sit together holding hands.

Nursing home manager Mandi Short said: They always gave a kiss to each other on the lips every time they met. They were very much a loving couple.'

Now they will have a joint funeral next week conducted by Rector of Ramsbury The Rev Sam Weeden who said: 'They were inseparable.

'He worked all over the world advising governments and companies on particular techniques in metallurgy.

'Doreen was very much the person who lived at home and looked after the family. That was her whole life.

'They were devoted to each other. In retirement they did everything together. I have not done many funerals where both parties are still alive after such a long time married.'

The couple wed after a three-year courtship and had three sons, Paul, Robert and Richard. They also had grand children and a great grandson.