MEET Britain's oldest emigrants.

With a combined age of 189 Eric King-Turner and his wife Doris are set to wave goodbye to Hampshire and start a new life in New Zealand.

Eric, 102, and Doris, 87, have put their flat on the market and started the massive task of sorting out what possessions they are going to take before they set off on their big adventure.

In January they will set sail from Southampton on the Saga Rose for the voyage which is more than 12,000 miles and will take six weeks.

Eric said: "There will be a tremendous firework display before we sail but that will not be just for us!"

But Doris, who is returning to her native land, says they will probably get a red carpet welcome from family and friends.

The couple, who were both widowed, were married in New Zealand 12 years ago and after getting wed they set up home in Titch-field.

But New Zealand is close to both their hearts and there has always been that pull to settle down there.

Eric said: "I think she (Doris) has been a little bit homesick but has never complained. I like New Zealand. The way of life is very much the same as it is here but it is not so crowded."

But he will not miss the climate, especially with a summer that has been a washout.

The sprightly centenarian, who was Surgeon Commander (dentistry) in the Royal Navy, will also be able to engage in his passion of fly fishing.

He said: "New Zealand is the most wonderful place in the world for fishing."

Doris, who has five children and nine grandchildren, already has a home in Nelson, which is in the South Island, where the couple will be setting up home.

It is a bungalow by the beach overlooking Tasman Bay and Nelson has more hours of sunshine than any other part of the country.

Doris says: "I am looking forward to getting back to my garden which is about three-quarters of an acre."

Doris sponsored her husband's application to emigrate to New Zealand.

He said: "The paper-work has taken about five months. We not only had to produce a marriage certificate but we had to produce evidence that we were in a long and stable relationship!

Eric said he was not quizzed about his age. He had to show that he had financial means to live when he got to New Zealand and that people would look after him if he ran out of money.

The couple will not be putting their feet up when they land in New Zealand. They are already planning to extend the bungalow.