READERS of The Sentinel could be forgiven for thinking they are seeing double in this year's Baby and Toddler of The Year competition.

Identical twins Lilly and Libby Boardman, who are 23 days old, are two of the latest entrants for this year's competition, which has a new category for toddlers aged three to five.

News that they were about to become parents to twins came as a complete shock to Adele Noonan and James Boardman.

Adele, aged 19, who lives in High Street, Kingsley, said: "I'd thought I was just having one baby all along until I had my first scan at about six months and they said it was twins.

"I was quite shocked at first and it took a while to sink in because it was big news.

"I'd already been out and bought lots of baby clothes, so I had to go back down to the shops and re-buy everything. I even had to take back a pram I had bought and swap it for a double buggy, and find two car seats which matched."

Full-time mum Adele believes her gorgeous twins will win over readers' hearts.

She said: "I've seen the competition in The Sentinel before and I've always thought it was really good and used to go through looking at all the pictures of the babies.

"It's brilliant that my children are now going to be part of it.

"They both looked beautiful having their photos taken for the competition.

"I think Lilly is the bossy one out of the two and Libby is a bit quieter."

Dad James Boardman, aged 20, who lives above The Crown pub, in Red Street, Chesterton, said: "It was a shock to be told we were having twins, but a nice one.

"I'm not sure how the people who vote will separate the girls when they see them in the paper."

Free photo sessions for the competition have been running at the Roebuck Shopping Centre and end today.

Entrants have a chance to win £3,000 worth of prizes and see photos of their youngsters printed in The Sentinel.