EXAMINERS were seeing double when they marked the papers of identical twins Ben and Lewis Thorne, who got identical grades of nine A*s and three As.

The Oxford Spires Academy pupils – who are also active in sport and drama at the Glanville Road, East Oxford, school – were among its top pupils. On top of their impressive grades the 16-year-olds, who live in Cowley, both got full marks in all of their physics and chemistry exams.

Ben said: “They were what we expected; we thought we’d do quite well.

“We’re really pleased.”

Lewis added: “It’s quite nice to take them together. It means you have someone to talk to about how they went and have someone to revise with.

“Because we have quite similar strengths it’s a good comparison on how you’ve done.”

He said: “It would be really awkward if we were quite different in ability.

“Imagine if one person found the exams hard and the other found it really easy.”

Principal Sue Croft said: “I’m really pleased for them.

“It’s incredible – very impressive.”

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