Daisy, 103, Irene, 101, and Phyllis, 103,  reveal the secret to a long life – keeping a toy boy nearby!

Three friends, all over 100, have revealed their secrets to longevity, including keeping a ‘toy boy’ close.

Daisy, 103, Irene, 101 and Phyllis, 103, who all live in the same care home at Manor Lodge in Chelmsford, Essex, say they are still laughing and ‘enjoying life to the fullest’.

Every woman has experienced her own share of triumph and torture, including enduring world wars and losing loved ones.

But that’s what they say now happiness, staying active, spending time with family, getting fresh air and getting out into nature are other keys to longevity.

Daisy Taylor, who turns 104 this month, says she makes the most of every day and loves having her extended family around to do it with her.

Daisy Taylor, who turns 104 this month, says she makes the most of every day and loves having her extended family around to do it with her

She said: ‘We’re all meeting up and enjoying life – I’m looking forward to it. I live life to the fullest. I’m always on the go, I don’t like sitting around.

‘Sitting in a chair isn’t really my thing, but now it’s time! But the caregivers keep me busy.’

Daisy, who has two daughters, a son, ten grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, admits she has always enjoyed being active.

Her caregivers say she “walks to and from the dining room and is very quick in her activities.”

They say that both Daisy and Phyliss are the oldest people to attend our movement to music and can fully participate.”

Daisy said: ‘I like to do things.

‘Yoga, dancing, cycling, I have always been into sports and it is fun to be with people.’

Daisy says she met her husband Ramon at the age of 19 at a dance. The couple were married for 39 years before he passed away at the age of 60.

Daisy (centre), who has two daughters, a son, ten grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, admits she has always enjoyed being active

Irene Rankin (left) describes herself as an ‘easy going’ soul who can ‘get along with just about anything

But she confesses that she has “a toyboy at another local nursing home who is 96.”

Irene Rankin describes herself as an ‘easy going’ soul who can ‘get along with just about anything’.

Born in Clapton, London, Irene says she has always loved being outdoors.

She said: ‘I love being in the fresh air, by the sea, in nature – I remember walking for miles.

‘The animals and plants have always fascinated me because they are living beings.’

Irene, who worked with machines in upholstery – the same job as Daisy, has always thrown herself into her hobbies and things that make her happy, admitting there are ‘not many things she doesn’t like.’

Irene (left), born in Clapton, London, says she has always loved being outdoors

Daisy, who has two daughters, a son, ten grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, admits she has always enjoyed being active

Irene, who used to be captain of her school’s swimming team, explains: ‘I have always loved swimming and diving.

“Cooking, gardening, whatever I do, I want it to look nice.”

But the Doris Day fan says one of her greatest loves in life is music: “anything to do with music.”

Irene’s carers at Manor Lodge say the cheerful lady ‘dances all the time’.

Irene said: ‘I like to sing in my own way! Music always brings back such wonderful memories and I enjoy it immensely.

‘Dancing, laughing and participating are things I have lived by.’

Phyllis Cottrell loves knitting and is still teaching people to knit today – at the age of 103.

Like her two friends, Phyllis has always been active and “can’t stand to do nothing.”

The mother-of-two from east London met her first husband at the age of 18, but he died shortly after their wedding after leaving the country to fight in the war.

Phyllis raised her daughter alone for four years before meeting Charles, whom she endearingly called “Red.”

Phyllis, who had her second daughter with Red, said: “I have been happily married for 73 years and one of my greatest achievements was finding love again with Red.”

In addition to being a mother, she worked in many different areas including being a dinner lady, running a laundrette, initially working for Dorothy Perkins as a cleaning lady and ending up as a salesperson and model – retiring when she was 80.

Phyllis, who now has three grandchildren, says that healthy living and eating is very important.

She explained, “I always told the kids to eat their vegetables! But it is precisely being together with people and my family that makes me happy.’

Phyllis, who now suffers from dementia, says if she could give any advice on how to live a long and happy life it would be to ‘be kind and optimistic – a positive attitude is the key to life.

She added: ‘Keep yourself warm in winter too!’