With the promise of "Yes, I do," a 106-year-old man and a 81-year-old woman got married in east China's Zhejiang Province, setting a new record of the oldest groom and bride in the province.

Pan Xiting, the groom and Chen Adi, the bride registered for marriage on Friday at the civil affairs bureau of the Lucheng District in Wenzhou City with the blessing of families and local government officials.

"Now, we are a family and we will never separate from each other till death," said Pan.

Zheng Guangliang, deputy director of the district's civil affairs bureau, confirmed that Pan and Chen are the oldest registered couple in Zhejiang.

"The eldest couple to marry before were in their seventies," said Zheng.

According to the Guinness Book of World Record, the oldest groom is Harry Stevens, an American. He was 103 when he married 84-year-old Thelma Lucas in Wisconsin in 1984.

Pan's first wife passed away more than 20 year ago and Chen's ex-husband died of illness 11 years ago. The couple, both native of Yongjia County, got to know each other eight years ago and Chen has been taking care of Pan ever since.

Pan denied that their romance began with love at the first sight, but said that his bride was taking good care of him and knowing him well.

The pair decided to get married in April and their decision won support of the two families.

"We were told that we needed to show our residence cards to get married, but Chen's has been lost for a long time," said Pan.

Local civil affairs bureau made a concession to the couple after getting to know their story.

"We believe that Madam Chen means more than a companion to Mr. Pan and we hope they will have a happy marriage life," said Zheng.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2007)