this is such a blessing:BRITAIN’S three oldest sisters were celebrating yesterday after reaching a staggering combined age of 308

Hilda, right, holds a card from the Queen as she celebrates with daughter Elizabeth and sister Mary

Hilda Greening has just had her 107th birthday, while Jean Underwood is 104 and Mary Hunt 97. They put their long lives down to good genes and hard work.

Between them, the trio are proud mothers of 12, grand­mothers of 17 and great-grandmothers of 29.

Born in the early 1900s before the widespread use of the electric light, they have lived under 19 prime ministers, five monarchs and endured two world wars.

They were hailed as “marvellous” yesterday by their large extended family.

Oldest sister Hilda Greening’s daughter Elizabeth Sallis, 74, herself a great-grandmother, said: “We’re not exactly sure how they’ve lived so well for so long, it must be in the genes.

“They worked as house maids for years and they have all had very interesting lives.

“Mum is in remarkably good health for 107, she doesn’t take any medication apart from paracetamol for her arthritis.

“Her sister, Auntie Jean, is sadly in bed at a nursing home so she doesn’t get to see her very often.

“But Auntie Mary, who is 97, comes to see mum every Monday each week. We meet up every Tuesday afternoon and that keeps her ticking over.”

Hilda celebrated her birthday at the Grange Nursing Home in Tewkesbury, Glos, surrounded by family and friends. She received 46 cards, including her seventh from the Queen.

Elizabeth added: “She was chuffed with her card from the Queen this year as she is wearing a different dress in the photo.”

Hilda was born Hilda Wasley in Winchcombe, Glos, in 1904 and grew up with her two younger sisters. All three girls left school for work in their early teens. Hilda married her childhood sweetheart Cyril Greening in 1931 and they spent 45 years together before he died aged 84.

The couple had three sons and two daughters.

Jean, whose health is poor after suffering a stroke, married husband Arthur Underwood in 1940 and they had two daughters. She now lives in a residential home in Charmouth, Dorset.

Mary, who had five children with husband William Hunt, lives in Twyning, Glos.

Elizabeth added: “We have a really big family and we try to stay together as much as we can. Christmas for us is a massive headache, but it is truly lovely to be a part of.”