What is the secret to a long, happy life? It seems a Dartford care home's residents have the answers as three residents celebrate milestone birthdays.

Joyce Stone turned 100 on December 3 and joined two other centennial residents at Gardenia House.

Celebrating her birthday, Joyce said: "I cannot believe that I am 100. I do not feel it, I feel as though I am coming up to my 80th. Apart from having the walker, I do not feel it but I cannot walk without it."

When asked the secret to living to 100 she simply said "working". She used to work at the health research charity Wellcome Foundation and started when she was only 16, never leaving until her retirement 44 years later when she reached 60.

Joyce has, in fact, been retired almost as long as she worked.

She spoke of her working days, saying: "The war had begun when I started. The air raids had started and I can remember when the sirens went and you had to run to the shelters all in your gear and then go back to work after."

The Dartford born and bred lady used to work in chemical packing helping to supply drugs for the troops.

She added: "Being young you did not take much interest in it to be honest."

She was the eldest and had four younger brothers which is how she met her husband Ron who was a friend of her siblings. She recalled how they used to play together in her garden growing up.

Joyce said: "We had a happy childhood. My mum and dad were very close. We used to play down the garden. They would all come to us."

Joyce and Ron were happily married for more than 30 years but she said they did not get married straight away. The pair used to love dancing with Joyce's favourites being the foxtrot or quickstep.

She added: "Ron, he could never dance. He liked dancing. He was good at jazz and swing but he could not do the serious stuff like the waltz unless I tried to teach him."

When Joyce was born in 1921 The British Legion held its first official Poppy Day, David Lloyd George was Prime Minister and George V was the reigning monarch.

The care home in Farnol Road celebrated another 100th birthday earlier this year in September. Margaret Dixon who was surrounded by her fellow residents, staff and close family to celebrate said the secret to her longevity was being busy and looking after friends and family.

But these were not the only two milestones the house celebrated this year.

On December 2, Ann Potter turned 101 although she definitely did not look it and said she had never had any health problems until most recently.

Ann agreed with Joyce and Margaret adding hard work, helping others and smiling was her secret to living beyond their centuries.