'Soulmates' who were married for 52 years lie next to one another and hold hands one last time - before dying from cancer just days apart

A devoted couple who had been married for 52 years lovingly laid next to each other in their final moments - as they both died only days apart.

Chris and Lynne Johnson - who had barely spent a day apart after five decades together - were side-by-side one last time as they both passed away from cancer.

A heartbreaking photo shows the pair of 'soulmates', who had two grown-up children, resting alongside one another at Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Shortly after picture was taken, Lynne, 69, died on February 13 followed by Chris, 76, who passed away on February 21. 

Their daughter Julie Whittaker shared the poignant image in a touching tribute to her beloved parents, as she recalled that her father was there for her mother's 'last breath'.

A heartbreaking photo shows the pair of 'soulmates', who had two grown-up children, resting alongside one another at Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield, Derbyshire

'He was holding her hand, and he took so much comfort in that,' she said.

'When mum died it took him a few days to come to terms with it. On the Saturday he burst into tears and said: "Has Lynne really gone?"'

She explained that after realisation hit, Chris 'didn't eat or drink again'. 

'He was completely heartbroken that mum had died and just gave up,' Julie said. 'I don't think he would have died that day if mum was still alive.

'The ultimate goal was ensuring they were together until the end, and it wouldn't have been possible without Ashgate.'

Lynne had been battling an aggressive brain tumour while her husband was diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer. In their final days, the couple were cared for in the same hospice room.

Chris was a milkman when he met Lynne while out on his rounds and they tied the knot in June 1972.

The couple had two children, Gary and Julie, and were described as 'proper soulmates' who were never apart from one another.

Chris was a milkman when he met Lynne while out on his rounds and they tied the knot in June 1972

The couple (Lynne pictured centre and Chris right) had two children, Gary and Julie (left), and were described as 'proper soulmates' who were never apart from one another

'They did everything together,' Julie recalled. 'Other than when they were at work they were never apart; they were proper soulmates.

'Even to this day, it doesn't feel real. It's not been long since they passed away - how have they just gone?

'It was such a whirlwind, everything happened so quickly. I'm just so grateful that Ashgate was able to keep them together.'

Chris, who later worked as a bus driver before he retired, was diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer last October.

Just three months later Lynne, a former carer, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor.

The couple were moved into adjacent rooms in the hospice until staff fulfilled their dying wish of being together for their final days.

Julie described the care as 'phenomenal' for both her parents and the whole family.

Chris, who later worked as a bus driver before he retired, was diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer last October. Just three months later Lynne, a former carer, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor. Both pictured when they were young

Chris and Lynne Johnson - who had barely spent a day apart after five decades together - were side-by-side one last time as they both passed away from cancer  

Julie (pictured) is now calling on the government to review funding so more people can access end-of-life services

'The hospice was with us from the start and are still there for us now,' she added. 'If both couldn't be cared for at the hospice, it would have been so heartbreaking for us choosing who we were going to be with. Having them together gave our family so much more time with them both.

'The hospice is such an amazing place and we were so well looked after.

'It's all about the little things, they think of everything and will go above and beyond to help patients, families and visitors.

'Dad was able to enjoy a glass of wine, and his brother Alwyn came every day to visit with my mum and dad's dog Tess - Alwyn and Tess were there when Dad died which was special for him.'

Julie is now calling on the government to review funding so more people can access end-of-life services

She added: 'Not only do all people deserve the end of life care that my parents received, but when patients are in a hospice instead of a hospital it takes the strain off the NHS.

'Nothing is too much trouble for staff at the hospice; there is so much love and compassion.

'I just wish that more families could be as well looked after as we were.'