Lancashire is one of the only counties in the country where people have managed to live to the ripe old age of 111.

The average life expectancy in the UK is around 81 years, while in Lancashire it sits below the national average at 77.6 years for men, and at 81.6 years for women.

However some people have the longevity to last well beyond the norm and into triple figures, giving them the accolade of being a centenarian, and the iconic birthday telegram from the Queen.

Among this golden community there are individuals who have reached supercentenarian status (110-plus years old), and across the UK, a total of 239 people have currently lived to more than 110 years of age - consisting of 224 females and 15 males.

New research has revealed Lancashire places tenth in the top 10 list of places with the most supercentenarians, with six people in the county reaching 110 years old and above.

The county's average supercentenarian age of 111.2 years is one of the highest in the whole study.

The top 10 UK supercentenarian locations are as follows and read from left to right: county; average age; number of supercentenarians (110+).

  1. London; 110.8; 25
  2. Surrey; 110.6; 16
  3. Kent; 111.2; 10
  4. West Yorkshire; 110.9; 9
  5. Hampshire; 110.4; 9
  6. North Yorkshire; 110.8; 8
  7. Derbyshire; 111.6; 7
  8. Lincolnshire; 110.7; 7
  9. Norfolk; 110.3; 7
  10. Lancashire; 111.2; 6

The research, by care company Lottie.org has revealed that the highest number of supercentenarians were based in the South East of England.

Twenty five members of this group were based in London, as the UK capital claimed top spot with an average supercentenarian age of almost 111 (110.8).

Surrey recorded 16 people in second place, with this county's supercentenarians slightly younger on average than their London counterparts (110.6).

While Kent completes the top three with 10 people in this group, who are on average 111.2 years old.

Intrigued by their findings on where the most supercentenarians have resided in the UK, Will Donnelly - co-founder and care expert at care company Lottie – shares the secrets to ageing well: “You’re never too old to adopt new habits to boost your health and wellbeing.

“Simple changes to your lifestyle can help prevent and delay illnesses.

“Don’t underestimate the importance of a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables and regular exercise.

“It’s also never too late to start a new hobby – some of our care home residents enjoy regular dance and fitness classes that get their heart racing.

“Finally, your mental health plays a huge role in your general well-being – and this is no different as you get older.

“Meditation, deep breathing and practising gratitude everyday can improve your wellbeing and lower your stress levels.”

Other findings: Centenarians (over age 100) across the globe:

The list reads: Nation; number of centenarians (100 +); % of females; % of males; centenarians per 100,000 population; 2020 vs. 2000 centenarian comparison %

1. Guadeloupe; 299; 73.58%; 26.42%; 75; +79.26%

2. Barbados; 204; 54.41%; 45.59%; 71; +78.43%

3. Martinique; 235; 82.55%; 17.45%; 63; +83.40%

4=Japan; 78,636; 87.57%; 12.43%; 62; +88.28%

4=Uruguay; 2,143; 90.43%; 9.57%; 62; +75.13%

8. Channel Islands (UK); 73; 89.04%; 10.96%; 42; +79.45%

19. United Kingdom; 15,834; 80.95%; 19.05%; 23; +58.22%

In 2020 there were approximately 15,834 people over the age of 100 (centenarians) in the UK, which was 0.02 per cent of the total population and 19th in the global rankings.

This is also more than a 52 per cent increase from how many there were in 2000 (6,615). 

Interestingly, the breakdown of centenarians is highly influenced by their gender - just over 19 per cent of UK centenarians in 2020 were male, with almost 81 per cent female.

The Channel Islands finished eighth in the global rankings. The British archipelago has 42 residents in triple figures per 100,000 population, which is almost an 80 per cent increase from its figures at the turn of the century.