IT'S a family affair for one Preston dad and his twin sons who are all studying the same course.

Steven Ingham, 43, of Garstang Road, was so keen to spark his 17-year-old sons' interest in their chosen careers that he enrolled on the same electrical course as his lads.

Since last September former Archbishop Temple pupils Henry and Oliver have studied by day and father Steven has hit the books by night on the Foundation Electrical Installation course at Preston College, St Vincent's Road.

"I was very keen on what they are doing and curiosity got the better of me," said Steven.

"I wanted to get more involved in their education so I decided what better way than to join the course myself."

But electrical currents have run through the family for decades.

Steven, who already has 15 years' trade experience under his belt, followed in his grandfather's footsteps who was an electrical engineer all his working life.

And a couple of months ago he set up his own business, Ingham Penny Consultant, to supply electricians for the trade.

Now the doting dad hopes the course will get his sons' buzzing for a similar career.

"I know the reality of being an electrician so it will be good for them to get a feel for that," he said.

But Henry and Oliver think it is hilarious their dad has gone back to college. Henry said: "When dad went back to college it seemed weird at first but we've got used to it, and now it actually helps.

"If there's a piece of work we need help with, or even the other way round, it's good that we can all sit down and talk about it.

"It was through our dad that we became interested in wanting to go onto study electrical installation, it seems to have become a bit of a tradition in our family."