They were inseparable in life and death. When his beloved wife of 67 years passed away, grandfather Ken Bartrip couldn't cope without her.

Just eight days later, the grief-stricken 92-year-old died at Delph House in Broadstone where they had both been receiving respite care.

Their daughter Mirella told the Daily Echo: "Dad's death certificate said bronchial pneumonia was responsible but even the doctor agreed that he had died from a broken heart.

"When Mother went the shock, for him, was unbearable; he'd told me he just couldn't contemplate life without her.

"I'd already arranged Mother's funeral when Dad became ill. She died at the respite home; even though he saw her body he still couldn't believe she was gone.

"He wanted to be at her funeral but, by that stage, he hadn't even the strength to stand up. It was as if his whole system had shut down.

"They were inseparable; when dad was in the army, Mother went with him wherever he was posted."

The devoted couple, who had lived in Corfe Mullen for 27 years, met at a ball in Worcester.

"They got engaged on Mum's 18th birthday and married on her 20th birthday," said 58-year-old Mirella, who lives in London.

"They moved to Dorset because they loved the area. Their other great passions were ballet, opera and gardening. They were an adventurous pair and enjoyed outings on their small motorboat.

"Mum and Dad did everything together. When we arranged for them to go into the respite home while we sorted out home care for them, it was very important that they remained together.

"We couldn't get them joint accommodation so they were in adjacent rooms and spent their days in each other's rooms.

"Mum had been suffering from memory problems and Dad felt very weak at the time. It was discovered that he was anaemic.

"He went into hospital while they were in respite care, suffering from a perforated ulcer, but rallied and came back from the brink of death.

"While he was in hospital mother developed heart complications. Even though she was 87 it was a terrible shock when she died on December 21."

Mirella is the couple's only surviving child; her sister Carola died six years ago and her brother Graham passed away in 1988.

She said: "Losing both parents at the same time has been very sad but it gives me some comfort to think that, even in death, they are still together."

Their joint funeral service took place at Poole Crematorium.