British couple become world's oldest newlyweds at combined age of 194

'Doreen keeps me young and I can definitely say we're going to spend the rest of our lives together'

A British couple has broken world records by becoming the oldest newlyweds ever at the combined age of 194.

Mr George Kirkby and Ms Doreen Luckie, 91, were married on Saturday - the day of Mr Kirkby’s 103rd birthday.

The pair exchanged vows to become the oldest newlyweds with a combined age of 194 and 281 days, in front of 50 guests and a representative from the Guinness Book of World Records.

The couple have been living together since 1988, but finally gave in to pressure from their elderly children to make their union official.

George met Doreen at the age of 76, when he had just divorced, whereas Doreen had become a widow three years prior after 36 years of marriage.

George said: "It's about time, really. Doreen keeps me young and I can definitely say we're going to spend the rest of our lives together."

Doreen added: "I wasn't a blushing bride, but I was a bit giddy. It was such a lovely day - and great to see everybody."

The ceremony took place at at the Langham Hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex, where the couple live. The hotel is run by George's son Neil Kirby, 63.

Neil said: "It was a great day - everybody was so happy for them. They are such a beautiful couple. Dad missed his stag do lunch because he wasn't feeling up for it, but Doreen had a hen party luncheon which was a complete laugh with all her golden girls."

"Long ago we adopted Doreen as our mum, and we're all delighted that she's now a Kirby.

"I'm not sure if she's going to change her name though. I wouldn't blame her for not, it is about time my dad finally made an honest woman out of her."

George was born in London in June 1912 and was a talented boxer in his youth, winning all of his 60 fights.

He joined the Royal Air Force in 1933, where he worked for 25 years as a physical education instructor.

After a string of jobs following his work at the RAF, he finally gave up work, and lifting dumbbells, at the age of 94, instead tending Doreen's garden in Kent.

Doreen was born in Brixton in September 1923 and spent much of her career as a shorthand typist for the Director of Public Prosecutions.