MIRROR twins who have never not spoken for more than two weeks are celebrating their 90th birthdays today.

Colin Frederick Jeffries and Malcolm Jeffries, who were born 25 minutes apart in 1927, may not be identical but they are mirror twins.

This means that both nonagenarians look like a reflection of one another.

“It’s unusual to be mirror twins,” said Colin. “I know we aren’t identical but lots of people mistake us for being the other.

“We seem to have opposite traits, like I’m left-handed but Malcolm is right-handed. In the mirror it looks like a reflection.

“But something we both have exactly the same is our birthdays.”

Colin and Malcolm, who had 10 other siblings, were born in Penygarn to the late Herbert and Violet Jeffries 90 years ago today.

Colin, who lives on New Road, New Inn said that he and his brother have “always” been exceptionally close.

He said: “We have always been close for as long as I can remember. You hear of some brothers and sisters who aren’t close or have fallen out so they don’t speak but not us.

“We went on holidays together and socialised together.

“Our wives were just like sisters too.”

He added: “We’re very fortunate to still have each other at the age of 90.”

Malcolm added: “We were close ever since we were young.

“We always wanted to be around each other and always seemed to be following one another. I think that shows how close we are”

Aged 14 the mirror twins both started worked at a glass factory, and later left for work at a tin factory in Cwmbran.

Come 1945, Colin entered the army and was stationed in Palestine.

Malcolm later joined him the following year.

He said: “Colin and I did lots of things in Palestine. We saw a lot of things too.

“One of the things we both did was drive vehicles.

“We were later demobbed in 1947.”

Five years after being demobbed, Colin married his future wife, Lilian, and Malcolm married Marjorie two years after that.

Colin later returned to work at a glass factory and Malcolm to a box shop.

Despite married life and caring for their families, the twins said that they have never gone more than two weeks without speaking to one another.

Colin said: “I’ve lived in New Inn for 60 years and Malcolm in Southville for a little less but despite this distance we always kept in touch regularly.

“I can only remember once when we went two weeks without talking to each other. Other than that it’s never been as long as that.”

He added: “Malcolm was the best man at my wedding and 65 years later and all I can say is that Malcolm is still my best man.

“I’m not sure what we’d do without each other.”

Colin’s daughter Gail Mainwaring said: “My parents gave us the best childhood anyone could ask for.

“My uncle Malcolm is also a lovely man. I have fond memories of us all going away on holiday together.

“They are both wonderful people.”