Away from work, their lives are just as closely linked, and have been since their mother started dressing them the same.

"It has carried on from there," they added.

Whoever is up earliest, usually John Bowdler, picks the outfit and the other brother will match it before they make their way downstairs to have a coffee with some toast.

As well as spending time with family members, they spend their days playing bingo and tenpin bowling, as well as watching football.

It came as little surprise that when one needed cataract surgery on his right eye, the other also had the same operation on the same eye.

John Bowdler said: "We've always been identical in most things we do, so I suppose it seemed natural to us that when one of us needed cataract surgery, the other would as well."

As Bill Bowdle had the surgery first, it was he who stood by his brother's side once again to reassure him about what to expect.

Professor Sai Kolli, consultant at Newmedica Birmingham, said: "They're the first twins we've had as patients here, and it must be such a rare occurrence to have them both have the same procedure on the same eyes."