The wife of the runaway D-Day veteran Bernard Jordan has died just weeks after her husband.

Irene Jordan, 88, who also lived at the Pines in Furze Hill, Hove, died at the nursing home on Tuesday evening peacefully in her sleep.

Described as a “loving couple”, the pair were beloved in the community and previously when speaking to The Argus, Bernard, pictured above, referred to his wife as a “smashing woman”.

Mr Jordan, who died on December 30, became a national sensation in the summer after sparking a missing persons search when leaving his care home unannounced for the D-Day commemorations in Normandy.

In addition to his fame, he was known to people in the city as a long-serving councillor and former mayor.

Mayor Brian Fitch said Bernard’s death must have been a “terrible shock” for her.

He said: “It is very sad to hear this. They were very close to each other.

“Bernie had been looking after his wife at home until the point that he could not do it anymore. He arranged for them both to go into the nursing home so that he could be there with her.

“They were a loving couple and he really did care, and in some ways it is possibly something that was meant to be so they should be together.

“In the days when I knew her before she went into the home she was again a very active lady, involved in the community.”

A special ceremony will be held at All Saints Church in The Drive, Hove, on January 30 to give the city the opportunity to remember the couple.

Amanda Scott, Gracewell Healthcare managing director, said: “Irene and Bernie will both be much missed by everyone at the home and our thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and family at this sad time.” A minute’s silence will be held at the next full council meeting.