London, Jan 8: An Indian couple living in Bradford have been married for 86 years, and could be UK’s oldest married couple.

Karam and Kartari Chand got married in 1925 in a village in Punjab. According to their passports, Mr Chand is 106 years old and his wife is 99.

They have just celebrated their 86th wedding ceremony and they think it qualifies them as UK’s longest married husband and wife.

Karam Chand 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,” the BBC quoted him as saying.

He smokes one cigarette a day before his evening meal and also 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 Chand 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,” she said.

“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.