THE twin Kenyon sisters had more than their looks in common when they set off down the aisle 50 years ago.

For the pair, who were born within 20 minutes of each other, were married on the same day in the same church in 1953.

And today (Fri Sept 12), Dorothy and Robert Ratcliffe and Audrey and Alan Butterworth celebrate a rare double golden wedding.

Pictured admiring their anniversary cards are (from left) Alan, Audrey, Dorothy and Bob.

The sisters had attended St Anne's School in Tottington together before working and playing rounders alongside each other at the same mill.

Dorothy knew Bob at school and the couple courted soon after they left. Audrey met Alan at Kirklees Mill, where both sisters worked until the early 1960s.

On the day of their weddings, the 22-year-old twins set off in the same taxi from their Market Street home to Tottington Methodist Church.

The elder of the two, Dorothy, was married first, and the wedding ceremonies were followed by a double honeymoon on the Isle of Man. Dorothy said: "They nearly married me to Alan because the minister got the names mixed up. Everyone was quite shocked."

The couple, of Lomond Drive, have a son Michael, a daughter Gillian, and five grandchildren. Audrey and Alan, of Moorside Road, Tottington, have two sons, Neil and Roger, and three grandchildren.

Audrey said: "As well as being sisters we've been good friends all the time that we've been married, and have always palled out together.

"It was my father's idea to have the double wedding. We were both engaged so he said that we might as well get married at the same time.

"Money was tight in those days and I suppose he thought that because we came together he would give us away together as well."

The couples will celebrate their anniversary at Smithills Court House in Bolton with relatives, family and friends.