Tips to help you keep living to 100

• Cut down on smoking with the aim of stamping out the habit.

• Eat healthily – many centenarians recommend porridge for breakfast and meals consisting of lots of fresh vegetables, good-quality meat or fish. (However, cakes and biscuits do prove to be very popular with the over-100s.)

• Avoid putting on weight by eating too much junk and processed foods.

• Drink alcohol in moderation.

• Take exercise to keep yourself fit to maintain independence for activities such as shopping or holidays. Exercise could be walking or taking the stairs instead of the lift – not necessarily joining a gym.

• Keep your mind active by following current affairs, sport, doing puzzles and crosswords, watching fun films or documentaries, or listening to your favourite music.

• Having a good circle of friends or acquaintances to spend time with, but also being happy on your own.

• Go to bed and get up at regular times.