On Monday morning over breakfast 73-year-old Cyril Pearce decided to 'pop the question' to his 77-year-old partner Denise Costello. By Tuesday lunchtime they were married.

Cyril said they'd been thinking about tying the knot for some time but after recently being diagnosed with cancer he'd decided to make it official.

Denise said she was so shocked she can't even remember how he proposed - although 'it definitely wasn't down on one knee'!

The couple met when they were both living in sheltered housing in Usk, where Cyril had moved to look after his elderly father in a neighbouring flat.

Denise, who once worked as a nurse, lived in the same sheltered accommodation and started to help him out with his caring duties.

'My father was bedridden and had become very difficult. Between us we'd probably visit him ten or twelve times a day. I could never have managed without Denise's help," said Cyril.

His father eventually had to be moved into a care home in Monmouth and died in 2013 at the age of 103.

By this time Cyril and Denise had become close friends and were together 'practically 24/7'. But four months after Cyril's father died, Denise was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Cyril in turn became her carer

The couple were given a sheltered bungalow in Llangybi last July.

"Eighteen months ago I had tests done for cancer which were inconclusive," said Cyril. "I went back to my GP last month and was sent straight away to Nevill Hall Hospital. I've now been told I have cancer of the stomach and oesophagus and am waiting to have final tests later this month to see what will happen next.

"I decided it was time to make things 'official' with Denise so I proposed while we were eating our breakfast on Monday. It's a statement to say if something happens we're officially a couple and there'll be no hassle.

"When I contacted the Registrar's Office at County Hall and explained the situation they said they could perform the ceremony at short notice, which is great.

"We've been talking vaguely about getting married for two or three years and I've already had a gold sovereign that my father gave me made up into a wedding ring.

"But in the end things have happened so quickly we haven't even told our families."

And telling their families could take some time as Cyril has three daughters, eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren while Denise has three daughters and eight grandchildren.

""It's all come completely out of the blue - but I said 'yes' straight away and I'm very happy," said Denise. "I haven't had time to buy a special outfit so I'll be wearing a smart dress and jacket I got for my grand-daughter's wedding!"