A FURIOUS 99 year old man is divorcing his wife of 77 years after he discovered she had an affair more than 60 years ago.

The couple, who have been identified only as Antonio and Rosa, have both consulted lawyers and the first hearing in the case is due to take place in March.

Jealous father-of-five Antonio saw red after he discovered dust covered romantic letters from his wife to her secret lover during a clear out of their apartment in Rome.

The couple had tied the knot in Naples in 1934, where Antonio had met Rosa after he had been sent there to serve in the carabinieri paramilitary police but she had had an affair with her unidentified lover ten years later, keeping the secret to herself until now.

Lawyer Anna Orecchioni said: 'The husband decided to file for divorce after finding the love letters.

'He felt betrayed and unable to carry on with the marriage which has lasted 77 years.

'It made no difference that the letters were written more than 60 years ago and the relationship has been over for decades.

'He has decided to divorce her and the case has already been submitted for a court hearing in March. The couple have five children and numerous grandchildren and great children.

'It's a shame the marriage has ended in this way after such a long time together.'

American couple Marshall and Winnie Kuykendall hold the current record for the longest marriage having been together for 82 years after they tied the knot on Valentines Day in 1929.

Originally published as Man, 99, divorces over 60-y-o affair