At 93, Bernard Brice never expected to be a ‘toyboy’, but he and sweetheart Margaret Husband are set to become two of the world’s oldest newlyweds.

The couple might have a combined age of 188 but are about to celebrate their own happy ending.

Great grand-mum Margaret Husband, aged 95, will tie the knot with great-grandad Bernard Brice, at a church ceremony with about 50 guests next month.

Bernard, who lives in Whitehaven, announced his intention to say ‘I do’, six years after his late wife, Dorothy, passed away.

Margaret, who currently lives in Banbury, Oxfordshire, was a bridesmaid when Bernard married Dorothy 66 years ago. They all belonged to the same church just after the war where they all met.

The couple kept in touch after Dorothy’s funeral and love blossomed when Margaret travelled to Cumbria to visit Bernard.

“Margaret came to Dorothy’s funeral in March 2011. We kept in touch but then drifted apart for a while. Then Margaret came up to visit and we got on so famously. She is a lovely person,” said Bernard.

Bernard didn’t propose to Margaret in the traditional way though.

“We just decided it would be a good idea to get married. We are both churchgoers and we didn’t want to have the ceremony at the register office,” added Bernard.

Bernard’s son, Graham, 63, a retired engineer, who worked at Sellafield for many years, and daughter, Helen, 65, who both live locally, said they were ‘delighted’ with the news and are doing all they can to ensure the couple spend their remaining years together in Cumbria.

“We have found them a house in the same sheltered housing development where dad is now and the staff there have been so helpful and kind supporting him,” said Helen.

“The house needs to be decorated and carpeted and because it’s a house needs a stairlift. We would love to get them a great big electric bed as well,” she added.

Margaret, a widow, wants a fairytale wedding and will be given away by her four sons at the ceremony being held at St Mary’s Church, Gosforth, conducted by the Rev John Riley on May 30 this year.

Two of her grandchildren will be bridesmaids and this weekend Margaret will choose the outfit she will wear on her wedding day.

She will not be carrying a bouquet but will instead have posies and ribbons tied to the handlebars of her three-wheeled walker.

“Margaret has decided she cannot walk down the aisle and would be happier with her little walker, which has a basket in the middle.

“We still have to get a ring for her,” said Helen.

Bernard is physically disabled with a dislocated neck from a car accident.

“It was very traumatic. I was on my way to visit my late wife, who was suffering from dementia. I ended up in hospital and my son came to tell me that Dorothy had died that day,” said Bernard.

Helen, a retired administrator, continued: “Dad’s disability means when he stands upright his head is on his chest and he can’t look up.

“He also broke his hip last year, which we thought he would never recover from, but he just bounced back.

“We bought a van specially adapted to take his wheelchair in the back, where he can actually see out of the windows. This van is the only opportunity he gets to get out,” she added.

“Because of the situation with dad’s neck we are thinking of hiring a suit. He won’t be able to wear a tie but we thought may be a cravat.

“He is the kindest man I know and he never complains about anything. Everyone who knows him loves him.

“What we would really like to do is to give them the great big wedding they would love, but unfortunately funds don’t allow, so we are going to do our best to make sure they have a very special day.

“This just shows you are never too old for anything. There’s hope for us all,” added Helen.

Bernard is keen for his bride-to-be to make the journey to Cumbria as soon as possible.

“My son is in Australia at the moment but he is home in two or three weeks’ time. Hopefully Margaret will be able to stay with him,” said Bernard.

“I’m very excited and cannot wait to see Margaret. Things are moving on and falling into place.

“At our age you just can’t hang about. Margaret is a year older than me and she shouts a bit on the telephone but it will be nice to have a bit of company.”

Bernard moved to Cumbria from the Midlands with his family in 1965, and worked at Pelham House School at Calderbridge, Seascale, for 30 years.

“Dorothy and I had married in 1950, and were together for over 60 years. She was 91 when she passed away. Dorothy and Margaret were best friends and remained so all that time,” said Bernard, who has two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

“I’m just baffled and amazed at the interest shown. People have been so kind. I feel a bit helpless really.”

He added: “You realise just how important families are as you get older.”