Twins celebrating 80th birthdays

It was double trouble when twins celebrated their 80th birthday by reliving memories of their childhood during wartime, family life and romance.

Jolly sisters Gwendoline Ecclestone and Joyce Darrell were born on July 3, 1929, in Tredegar, Wales, to Tom and Ada Chance and were the last of eight children. They moved to the Black Country when they were seven.

They spent their milestone birthdays yesterday getting their nails done and having lunch at their favourite store - Beatties, in Wolverhampton.

Joyce, of Newbolt Road, Bilston, was born 20 minutes before Gwendoline. Both share happy memories of growing up in a house in Dilloways Lane, Portobello. The non-identical pair still finish each others' sentences and remain very close.

They even recall going out with the same boyfriend while in their late teens. Gwendoline courted the young man first, before Joyce went on a few dates with him after they had split up.

"I was born first and I was the boss," Joyce said. "I was shy, but Gwen has always been good at striking up conversation with anybody."

Gwendoline, of Pinson Road, Willenhall, said: "I was always the naughty one and was always getting Joyce into trouble.

"I remember once chasing a cockerel round our yard and Joyce got knocked over."

The sisters also have plenty of memories of growing up in during the Second World War when times were hard. Joyce said: "We attended Fraser Street School in Willenhall and used to take packs of sweets and biscuits down into the air raid shelter which we had to sit in when the sirens were sounded.

"We were never down there for very long thankfully."

Gwendoline recalled them singing until the all-clear was given. Their mother saved up and bought coupons from neighbours to buy clothing and items for their weddings.

Joyce got married to Claude Darrell when she 22, and he has since died.

Gwendoline's first husband Desmond Crutchley died in 1984. She is now married to Jack Ecclestone, 85.

The sisters worked together for a time at Parkes' lock factory, Willenhall.