An Indian couple, who tied the knot in 1925, could be the oldest married husband and wife living in the UK, a media report said.

Karam Chand, now 106, and his 99-year-old wife Kartari – both born in a village in Punjab – came to the UK from India in 1965 and have been living in Bradford since then, according to their passports.

They have just celebrated their 86th year together as a married couple, which they think may qualify them as the UK's longest married husband and wife, the “BBC” reported.

Karam said there was no real secret to living a long married life. “Eat and drink what you want but in moderation. I have never held back from enjoying my life,” he was quoted as saying.

He smokes one cigarette a day before his evening meal and drinks a tot of whiskey or brandy three or four times a week.

The Chands live with their youngest son Satpal, together with his wife and two of their four children.

Kartari is looking forward to getting a letter from the Queen later this year when she celebrates her 100th birthday, but is more cautious about staying fit and healthy.

“We have always eaten good wholesome food, there's nothing artificial in our diet but things like ghee (clarified butter), milk and fresh yogurt are what we like. We know that being married for 86 years is a blessing, but equally we will be ready to go when it's time, it's all up to the will of God, but we really have lived a good life,” she said.

However, Kartari said that some aspects of old age are really difficult. “My eldest son died and that was hard for us because you don't expect to outlive your own children. We have seen many other close family members depart and that's something we just have to live with,” she said.

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