A COUPLE who were married for 58 years died just 11 days apart after falling ill with Covid-19 following festive celebrations with their family.

Frank and Vera Twine had spent Christmas day with their daughter and her family, having not seen any loved ones for weeks due to the restrictions.

The great-grandparents were one of two households who come together after the Prime Minister gave the special allowance that up to three households could meet on December 25.

However, this ended up being the last time the couple of Twyford Road, Eastleigh saw their family as the next day they started feeling unwell.

As a result, their daughter and her family decided to take tests, which came back positive.

Frank and Vera were then taken to Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester on December 27 where they received treatment for Covid-19.

But, despite this, Frank died on January 10 at the age of 76, and Vera died just 11 days later, on January 21, aged 77, after refusing treatment following her husband's death.

They were married 58 years, and had two children, Amanda and Cherry, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Daughter, Amanda Cole, was in Southampton General Hospital also battling Covid-19 at the time of her father's death.

She said: “I don’t think either of them could have lived without each other. The hospital put them together for 15 minutes so they could hold hands and take photos of each other as they were on separate wards.

“I think they made a pact that if one went they both wanted to go because dad went first and then mum refused medication, which was hard for us to let happen, but it’s what she wanted.

“We are so grateful for the staff at the hospital as they let them die with dignity.”

After her father's death, Amanda was “inundated” with messages from people who had known him.

Frank had worked for British Rail and was an infrastructure manager on the Mid Hants Railway before he retired.

Vera worked at a play group in Eastleigh before joining her husband on the railway as a volunteer.

Amanda said: "They're both pretty well known in Eastleigh.

"They're having a joint cremation but we've had to tell some people they can't come because of the restrictions.

"It's been a bit hard. We're gutted because my dad would have filled that crematorium three times over. He deserved a big send off."

Frank and Vera's funeral is being held at Wessex Vale Crematorium n February 1.

The family has asked that any donations are made to Marwell Zoo, one of Franks favourite places that he used to frequent.