The 104-year-old Yorkshire woman who can still lift her leg over her head

Phyllis Ferguson, known as Peggy, may have celebrated her 104th birthday last week but she still takes part in Tai Chi classes and is amazingly flexible for her age.

She puts part of the secret of her long life down tothe cod liver oil which her mother gave her and her siblings when they were children.

"I think that's been a good thing," she said. "It tastes awful but you just have to down it."

She lived independently in her home in Acomb in York, until she was 103, before moving to Ebor Court care home in Nether Poppleton last May.

Born in Knaresborough on April 8 1916, Peggy was the fifth of nine children of Walter and Maria Hodge, who worked together tailoring women’s clothes.

After leaving school aged just 14, Peggy began working at Ackrill’s Printers, based in Harrogate. She was always sporty - playing tennis and badminton - but says her sisters were all better than she was.

She worked during the Second World War as a booking clerk at the Knaresborough ticket office - where she met her husband Alan Ferguson who was a train driver operating the two "push and pull" carriages between Harrogate and York. They were married for 71 years and had one son.

She later worked as a packer on the production line at the Rowntree’s chocolate factory in York.

Despite not being able to host the full party that had been planned because of the coronavirus outbreak, staff at Ebor Court made sure that Peggy enjoyed her birthday.

Deliveries of flowers, cards, chocolates and presents filled her room and she enjoyed Facetime calls with her son and grandchildren.

Peggy always watches the news - she has never watched a soap - and says the Coronavirus outbreak is "horrible".

Her favourite place in Yorkshire is Filey because "it is quiet and you can get everything and you are not pushed about".

She is partial to a sherry - Harveys Bristol Cream is a favourite - but believes in drinking in moderation.

Asked what she still most enjoys doing, she said: "having a lot to do and watching telly".

Lifestyle Manager, Susie Carman​ said: ‘Peggy is probably fitter than me. Her son told me she has always been a home-body and she likes watching TV in her room, but if there's something going on she will join in. We all love her - it is amazing getting to 104."