IDENTICAL twins Ben and Simon Ellis have never been separated for long in their 18 years - but come October they'll be a universities about 60 miles away from each other.

IDENTICAL twins Ben and Simon Ellis have never been separated for long in their 18 years - but come October they'll be a universities about 60 miles away from each other.

Ben is going to Oxford University to study History while Simon is to study modern and medieval languages at Cambridge.

The teenagers, from Grange Farm in Kesgrave, have been pupils at the town's high school but they found out about their success on the other side of the world - they are currently on the Prime Minister's Global Fellowship in China and India.

Proud mum Clare Hadley said the family was delighted by their success.

She said: “Ben is going to St John's - where Tony Blair was a student, I believe - and Simon is going to Gonville and Caius College.

“We're all so proud of them. They have worked very hard for this. Of course they are very clever youngsters, but they are also very rounded young men - they are very nice lads.

“They are abroad at the moment and will be back at the end of the month - they have found being separated quite tough but they will have to get used to that.”

Kesgrave High Headteacher Nigel Burgoyne said: “They are exceptionally talented youngsters. They are both workaholics and very balanced youngsters with a great world view on issues. They will go far.”