Morecambe couple hold hands for first time in months after Covid ban on care home visits is lifted

We reported earlier this month how Jack and Joan Russell had to celebrate their special day through a window after the coronavirus restrictions meant Jack was unable to go inside Fernbank care home in Heysham, where Joan lives.

But thanks to the relaxing of some of the government regulations last week, one person at a time can now visit a care home to see a relative.

And this meant that on Sunday - Mother's Day - Jack was finally able to give his wife a hug.

Jack was also able to take along some cards and presents from his daughters for their mum to mark Mothering Sunday.

Jack and Joan married on February 26 1944, while Jack was serving in the army.

Jack, now 99, was among the World War Two veterans to receive the highest French military honour - the Legion d'Honneur - for the part he played in the D-Day landings in June 1944.

The couple went on to have four daughters and now also have numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

They moved to Morecambe in 2012, where they both lived with daughter Hazel until Joan, who has Alzheimer's, moved into Fernbank just before Christmas 2019.

While the Covid-19 pandemic restricted the ability for Jack to see Joan, 95, in person, the couple had been using use Skype to see each other and chat.