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British couple become world's oldest divorcees aged 98

British couple Bertie and Jessie Wood have become the oldest couple in the world to divorce – aged 98.

The pair ended their 36-year marriage when they were both two years away from their 100th birthdays.

They got married in Elstree, Hertfordshire, in 1972, having both ended previous marriages, before moving to Falmouth Cornwall four years later.

However, by 2008, when they were both aged 97, their relationship faltered and a decree absolute is believed to have been granted subsequently.

According to neighbours of the former couple, Mrs Wood now lives in a care home. Mr Wood died shortly before he turned 99.

Mrs Wood's daughter Pauline Rowe, 65, refused to discuss the split. “It's too hurtful to talk about,” she told the News of The World.

Terence Wood, Mr Wood's son from his first marriage, also refused to comment on the divorce.

In Devon last month, a couple married at the combined age of 181 to become Britain's oldest newly-weds.

Les Atwell, 94, and Sheila Walsh, 87, married in a ceremony attended by family and friends. They met four years ago, introduced by Mr Atwell's cleaner.

His new wife explained: “His cleaner told me about Les and I thought he sounded nice but then she told me he's 90 and I thought "oh no, I'm not so sure".

“But when we met, that was it. It was love at first sight.”

The couple, who live in Paignton, went on a two week Mediterranean cruise for their honeymoon, stopping off in Athens, Rome and Barcelona.

The world record is held by French couple Francois Fernandez, then 96, and Madeleine Francineau, then 94, who married in 2002.