IDENTICAL twin brothers have embarked on the same career path - as underwater bomb disposal experts.

Blackburn twins Nick and Adam Crabtree, 17, have taken the plunge together and joined the Royal Navy's diving branch.

The youngsters from Country Mews, Beardwood, have signed up to the diving school and start training on March 9, four days before their 18th birthday.

The pair first went scuba diving while on holiday in Egypt four years ago and their interest has grown ever since.

They will train at HMS Raleigh, Cornwall, for nine weeks and they face further written tests which, if they pass, means they be well on their way to becoming Royal Navy divers.

Adam, who works at Marks and Spencer, Preston, said the decision had been an easy one.

He said: "We have been scuba diving for a few years and we can't wait to get down there and start the training."

And Nick, who has been working at Huntley's farm shop, Samlesbury, was equally enthusiastic about the upcoming adventure.

He said: "It was strange because I was speaking to my dad about it and then Adam arrived home with the application form.

"After applying it's taken a long time to get to this point. We had to go through the interview and then an aptitude exam.

"What appeals to me about it is being in the water because I like the outdoors."

And neither seemed concerned about the potential dangers that lie ahead.

"I've always fancied going in the forces and when we started diving I knew I wanted to work under water," added Nick. "A lot of it will be engineering work but the bomb disposal side doesn't worry me. It's just exciting at the moment."

If the twins make it through training they will be posted to one of the Royal Navy's three naval teams in Scotland, Plymouth or Portsmouth and could be called on to dispose mines at sea.

Other work includes underwater engineering duties or even untangling lines from ships' propellers.

Although the lads said their parents were a bit apprehensive at first, their dad Keith said he was fully behind them signing up.

He said: "It's brilliant because diving is something they really enjoy. I'm not worried about it at all."

Tim Robbins, a careers adviser for the armed forces, said the last twins they had through the doors were identical brothers from Burnley eight years ago.

"Both of those completed training but it is a while since we last had twins down here.

"It's not usual at all but every so often we do get them signing up together," added Mr Robbins.