FOR the first 19 years of their lives, identical twins Gill Rolfe and Jackie Oates celebrated their birthday together.

But a chance discovery when they were adults gave the pair a shock – they were actually born on different days.

When Gill came to get married, her birth certificate showed Jackie was born at 11.50pm on February 18, 1945, and her sister followed 20 minutes later, at 12.10am the next day.

The sisters, originally from Lower Swell in the Cotswolds, now live in the same housing complex in Blakeney Close, Tuffley.

They believe they were the first identical twins born in the cottage hospital in Moreton-in-Marsh for 50 years, and the first ever born to a Lower Swell family.

Gill said: "We always celebrated both birthdays on February 18, and we had no idea we were born on different days.

"It was only when I needed my birth certificate to get married that I realised my birthday was actually February 19.

"I pointed out to mum, who just said 'What's a date!'"

Jackie added: "We had no idea we were born on different days. In fact dad didn't even know he had twins for a day.

"He was sent home from the hospital at midnight after I was born, and didn't find out Gill had followed until the next day."

The twins have always maintained a strong bond, despite living miles apart at times in their lives.

Jackie said: "We have always been really close, even when I lived in America for a while there was still that bond.

"I could never have children, but when Gill gave birth to Paul, her son, I collapsed at work through feeling her labour pains.

"They sent me home and I went straight to the hospital. I knew she had just had the baby."

Both Gill and Jackie were married, with Gill having two children, Paul and Anne, nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

The pair are now widowed, and live alone in separate apartments in the housing complex, where their sister Susan Pratley also lives.

They celebrated their birthdays last night, with a meal and a game of bingo.

But they said just spending it together was enough of a treat. Jackie said: "Gill is my sister, and my best friend, and nothing will ever force us apart."

As for the separate birthdays, Gill believes the pair have the best possible deal.

She said: "It works really well, I celebrate on Jackie's birthday, and she celebrates on mine. It is like having two birthdays – just like the Queen!"