New Year has always been special for one devoted couple as the day they also chose to celebrate their wedding.

But this year marks an amazing milestone for Robert and Susan Erskine whose 78th anniversary is thought to have earned them the accolade of UK's oldest couple.

Mr Erskine, 103, and Mrs Erskine 102, hadn't been apart for more than a day since he was posted abroad during the Second World War until October when Mr Erskine moved into a nursing home.

The couple of Bo'ness, West Lothian, were delighted to be reunited for a family celebration when Mrs Erskine, who is being cared for at home, journeyed with her their daughter Margaret, 72, for the get-together.

Mr and Mrs Erskine also received cards and flowers from well-wishers and friends to mark the occasion

The couple still live in the area where they first met at the ages of 20 and 21, and have been praised by their family as a great inspiration through their dedication to each other and their family.

They have three children, Margaret Ewen, of Linlithgow, West Lothian, William, 76 of Weybridge, Surrey, and Bobby, 59, who lives in Northampton, as well as six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Five years of courting and romance began in 1932 at a dance at their local church.

January 1 was chosen at a time when it was the only day their friends and family could all guarantee off .

The couple carved a living in Bo'ness with Mr Erskine a joiner and Mrs Erskine working in a factory.

They had previously only parted once, when during the Second World War Mr Erskine served in the Royal Corps of Signals and was posted to Cairo and Baghdad, spending four years in Egypt and Iraq apart from his wife and family.

The couple kept in touch through Mr Erskine's letters that he sent almost daily during his time abroad.

They have attributed their longevity to eating well .

Mr Erskine was a keen gardener and the couple enjoyed his home-grown fruit and vegetables, while Mrs Erskine is a keen singer.

The couple were also still dancing until recently.

The pair who met at the dance at Carriden Parish Church kept on dancing together until their 70th anniversary.

When they celebrated their 75th anniversary Mrs Erskine said: "I love him as much now as I did then and we still kiss and hold hands, despite being married for so long.

"We have our disagreements but we always make up again."

Mrs Ewen said an intimate gathering with family and friends from their church marked the day.

She said: "We picked up my mum from her house - she still lives at home - and took her to the home where my dad is. They really enjoyed being together.

"They have just always been together, they have worked together, they don't drink and they don't smoke and they've just eaten plain and good quality food.

"Their home and family have been the most important to them."