TWINS born in Whitecroft at the start of last century have just celebrated their 90th birthdays together.

Mrs Frances Chilton, who now lives in Bream, and Frank Brain, who lives in Lydney, were treated to a surprise family party at the weekend at the home of one of their sons.

"The party was organised by my two sons and Frank's daughter from Canada," says Frances, who recalls both of them leaving Pillowell School when she was 14 just before Christmas and going straight to work after the holiday.

"We have always been a good family, always together," she said. "There's always someone visiting every weekend."

Born into a collier's family, she went off to work at the tinplate factory while Frank started driving for a colliery at the start of a career in transport.

"Of course the lorries had no tubes in the tyres back then – they were just solid rubber and I have a picture of Frank standing by one."

Their old Whitecroft home has now gone, replaced by modern homes, and the whole face of industry in the Dean changed as they grew up.

Was there anything special about being a twin, as some said?

"Very much so. We've always been together, always good pals," she said.