A couple who are collectively 71.4 inches tall have just missed out on the Guinness World Record for world’s smallest married couple. Pramod Kumar, 47, finally found love with Poonam Devi, 33, after a 22-year search and they got married in a traditional Indian ceremony in Uttar Pradesh, India last week.

He is 2’7″ and she is 3’4″ and their combined height is just 0.4 inches taller than the current record holders.

That honour goes to Douglas Maistre Breger da Silva and his wife Claudia Pereira Rocha, who measure a combined 71 inches.

But Kumar isn’t fussed about narrowly missing out on the record, which would have seen them become minor celebrities in their home country, known for its obsession with record breaking.

Kumar said: “A local villager helped us meet because he knew that both of us were single. It was love at first sight for me. We fell in love right after our first meeting. Things between us moved forward quickly and we got married within a few days. I am pleased to have met my life’s love and wouldn’t change anything.”

Devi added: “I was very lonely in life before meeting Pramod. He is an incredible man. I can only thank my stars for this gift that I have got in my husband.”

The couple say that local villagers who bully them because of their heights are jealous of their happiness now.

The two lovebirds got married in an elaborate wedding ceremony and are looking forward to having proper jobs so that they can build a home and family.