In 2007, Britain’s oldest twins were reunited for their 100th birthdays in Droitwich. Fred Flack travelled from his seaside home in Sidmouth to be with brother John at Rashwood Care Home for a joint party.

Born in Loughton, Essex, in 1907, they were inseparable in their youth, but had seen little of each other since they both left home aged 25. John moved to Kidderminster where he worked his way up to become managing director of a corn merchants. Fred later became a missionary in India where he stayed for 39 years.

But even when they were on different continents they still shared a special connection, said Fred. “If one of us had a cold the other would have a cold. When I was in India I had jaundice and John had jaundice at the same time over in England. It was very strange.”