A FORMER Bewdley man and his brother - thought to be Britain's oldest surviving identical twins - have celebrated their 99th birthdays.

John Flack, who was managing director of seed merchants, Clement Dalley & Co, in Kidderminster, brought up three children with his late first wife, Mollie, who he met in the town. She died in 1980.

He was secretary to Kidderminster Baptist Church for many years, an active Rotarian and JP and played golf well into his 80s.

He previously lived in Stephenson Place, Bewdley and now lives in Hassocks, West Sussex. He has been married to his second wife, Laura, for 22 years and has five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

He is older by 45 minutes than his twin, Alfred. They were born in Loughton, Essex, on July 11, in 1907.

They were inseparable throughout school and played the parts of Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Even in later life they could still be mistaken for each other.

In their 20s, they both left Loughton, with John becoming a travelling salesman before joining Clement Dalley & Co. Fred went to India as a Christian missionary, spending many years working in and around Madras, now Chennai.

Previously married to Meg, he is now a widower, living in Sidmouth, Devon. In retirement, he has continued preaching.

Longevity runs in the family, with the twins' father living to 86, their grandfather to 89 and great grandfather to 78. Their great great grandfather lived to 62.

John celebrated with a party in Hassocks, although Fred was set to miss the festivities, as he was recovering from a broken leg.