Britain's oldest twins celebrate New Year's Day and 102nd birthday

Britain's oldest twins Betty Richards and Jenny Pelmore have a double reason to celebrate New Year's Day - it is also their 102nd birthday.

Published: 8:00AM GMT 01 Jan 2010

Jenny Pelmore and Betty Richards (right) from Cornwall who will celebrate their 102nd birthday tomorrow, January 1 2010 Photo: SWNS

The sprightly siblings came into the world on January 1, 1908 - the year Henry Ford produced his first Model T car.

They were born in Manchester when King Edward VII was on the throne and the doctor who delivered them arrived - on horseback Betty and Jenny are both widowed and still live near each other in Feock, near Truro, Cornwall.

They plan to celebrate their big day with friends and family - with a gin for Jenny and brandy and ginger for Betty.

''They are both amazingly well and fit and see each other all the time," family friend Tricia Prescott said.

''They spent Christmas and New Year together as always and are in fine health.''

Mrs Pelmore insisted she didn't think about her age much. "The secret is keep smiling and keep going," she said.

''Life is much faster now but the only thing I don't understand is computers," Betty added.

Great grandmother-of-two Jenny was a nursery teacher and married Hugh Pelmore, an RAF pilot who raced Bentley cars.

Betty was a secretary and married Brandon Richards in 1936 and had children Peter and Gina.