A couple who held hands to very end

Ruth Gray, of Fields Park Avenue, Cross Keys, said family legend held that even at the end of their long lives they would still hold hands.

Thomas and Elizabeth Morgan, who died in 1893 and 1891 respectively, Thom-as at 106, and Elizabeth at 105, have been officially named the world's Oldest Married Couple (Aggregate Age), as revealed in Thursday's Argus.

Now the pair have a place in the 2006 edition of the Guinness Book of Records.

Mrs Gray, 65, said: "I've always known how exceptional their story is, my mother used to take me to their grave when I was younger.

"My son even wrote to Blue Peter about them."

She added: "My grandmother always said that at the end of their lives they returned to their youth, holding hands, it's a real love story."

Mrs Gray told the Argus she hoped their longevity ran in her genes.

Mrs Gray's grandmother, Elizabeth Sage died aged 82, her mother, Phyllis Thomas died aged, 84.

She attributes their long life to their dedication to the Welsh chapel life.

She said: "They were dedicated chapel-goers and so I wouldn't imagine they would have drunk. Although I have heard that Elizabeth smoked a pipe."

Amateur historian Graham Lawrence, 72, of Brunel Road, Cwmbran uncovered the couple's gravestone last year and made the application to the Guinness Book of Records.

He said: "It has been wonderful to meet a member of their family and to finally see a picture of them has been incredibly satisfying."

Mr Lawrence also discovered Thomas was born in Llantrisant, South Glamorgan, and his wife in Caerleon.

They were married in 1809 and had three of their children before the battle of Waterloo.

The couple had lived in the now demolished Foundry Row in Cwmbran and had 15 children, 17 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Mrs Gray said: "I didn't realise just how many children they had, it would be really interesting to meet the other members of the family."