A great-great-grandfather celebrated his 100th birthday this week - two months after his wife of 79 years reached the same milestone.

A great-great-grandfather celebrated his 100th birthday this week - two months after his wife of 79 years reached the same milestone.

Walter Postings, known as Wally, and wife Beatrice are understood to have Britain's second-longest marriage, just behind a couple who tied the knot 80 years ago.

The devoted pair, often seen holding hands at their residential home in Burnham- on-Sea, Somerset, were joined by family from across the world for the party.

Mr and Mrs Postings have lived through two world wars, five monarchs and 19 prime ministers. Chris Arnold, manager at Tudor Lodge home, said yesterday: "It's incredible that they've been married for so long and are still so happy.

"They are very affectionate and you can always find them in the lounge, in their favourite chairs, holding hands.

"That's lovely to see. I'm impressed at how active they stay and they both have sharp minds, although Walter is a little hard of hearing. They are always there in the thick of any quizzes and games we have going on. No-one has reached 100 here in 14 years, so to have two centenarians is wonderful."

Mr Postings, born in Gloucester, said the secret to a long marriage was "a bit of give and take", and attributed his longevity to regular exercise. Mrs Postings said: "I just love him, and that's it."

After Mr Postings's Second World War call-up, the couple took over Culverwells Antiques in 1951, which had belonged to Mrs Postings's father. They ran the shop until 1991 when they too retired. They had three children, one of whom died.

Daughter Pam Blake and husband Bert live close to the home and visit regularly, while son Terry and wife Jo live in Edmonton, Canada.

They made the journey back for Mr Postings's 100th birthday on Tuesday.

The longest-married couple in the country, Frank and Anita Milford, from Plymouth in Devon, celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary earlier this year.