Three best friends who were all born during the second world war - in the same month and in the same village - are celebrating their milestone birthdays.

Pat Nelson (nee Edmondson), Margaret Sutton(nee Canfield) and Dorothy McAvoy (nee Brown), are all set to mark their 80th birthdays in August.

The trio, who were all born in August 1941 and grew up together in High Harrington, have remained close friends since their school days.

They are looking forward to enjoying a special birthday meal out together, as well as having separate celebrations with their families.

The three friends met at Harrington Infant School and have shared many happy times together through their eight decades.

Pat said: "We started school together. The three of us are still good pals.

"I've just gone through bypass surgery and Dorothy is waiting for a new hip. But we're still in good spirits.

"It's amazing that the three of us are all still here and in regular contact."

The three friends have always kept in touch, even when Pat lived abroad.

She lived in central Africa, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, before moving back to Distington.

Dorothy still lives at High Harrington and Margaret settled in Distington when she got married.

Pat said: "Every time I came home on leave, I would visit them.We would catch up then. It's been lovely."

Margaret worked as a shop manager at Clinton's Cards, while Dorothy worked for Pioneer.

Pat was a development worker for Mind in West Cumbria and a national funding officer for Cancer Relief in Papua New Guinea. She also taught music and drama there.

Speaking about their childhood, Pat said: "Looking back, we had a charmed childhood.

"Everything that went on in High Harrington was for the kids. We had people teaching us how to dance and sing.

"We just had a wonderful childhood in High Harrington.

"None of us had a lot of money.

"Margaret had an outside toilet and I thought this was wonderful because it had two holes in. We could go together. I only found out a few years ago it was their next-door neighbour's!

"I remember one birthday, Dorothy and I made a tent out of a clothes maiden and it collapsed in on us while were having our tea.

"We've had some fun. It's been lovely. It's nice that we are all there for one another now."