A couple have finally had to get rid of their trusty old boiler, when it stopped working after 48 years.
Retired business owner Graham Braddick bought the deluxe £200 Hotspur boiler in 1971, when he moved into his home with wife Dorothy.
It operated “faultlessly” for nearly half a century but has finally broken beyond repair.
The couple, both aged 87, have now bought a Worcester boiler, costing £2,500, including fitting.
Graham, who has been with Dorothy for 65 years, was hesitant about buying a new one as “at my age, I don’t even buy green bananas”.
The couple have run businesses all their lives and have four children and “countless” grandchildren.
Graham, of Bideford, Devon, joked: “I thought the old boiler came with a 50-year guarantee but I can’t find the paperwork.
"That would have been lovely.”
The oil-fired device had been regularly serviced, by the same heating engineer.
Graham said: “The last time, he said he couldn’t do it any more. He can’t get the bits to fix it.”
The couple initially bought the top-of-the-range model, made by Harford-Unical, on the advice of a plumber friend.
Graham added: “You didn’t have as much choice then but things were made better.
“It was very expensive but, considering how long it has lasted, it was a bargain.
“The new one is being fitted now and we hope it will last our lifetime.”
Dorothy added: “Our Aga is also 48 years old and the dishwasher is 20 – and they still work a treat.”
