TIMES were hard during the 1926 general strike, twins Elsie Poole and Edna Patterson recalled yesterday.

So hard in fact that their father was once driven in desperation to offer up the family pet rabbit, Silver, for the dinner table.

Mrs Patterson said: "None of us could eat it. I can remember us all sitting crying at the table - even though it was a gorgeous rabbit pie and smelt delicious."

They laughed as Mrs Poole added: "My father had to eat the whole thing himself."

It was one of the many memories the twins remembered yesterday as they tucked into a sumptuous meal to celebrate their 90th birthday - making them among the oldest living twins in the country.

The sisters were born to steel smelter Andrew Kirkup and wife Elizabeth in their home in West View, Templetown, Consett, County Durham.

Elsie, who was born three hours ahead of her sister, said: "We weren't identical, but when we were younger had a strong resemblance. We would never dress alike, though."

Edna said: "We had no bus to take us to school and had to wade through snow 6ft deep sometimes. Sometimes father would pull us on a sledge."

Elsie added: "It was wonderful growing up in the village. Most people were either related or knew each other."

They recalled scavenging for coal from old coal works when their father joined the pickets at the Consett Steelworks in 1926.

Edna said: "There was a policeman - we won't mention his name - who would warn us that another bobby was on his way.

"He would let us get away with it, because he knew we were hard up. My father used to sweep up coal dust for our fire."

Elsie said: "But for all the problems, there was much happiness. There was a strong community spirit. If my mother cooked up a pan of broth she would invite neighbours and friends to come with their basins."

Elsie remained in Consett, working in service for many years, while Edna worked as a cook in canteens in several places, including Cummins Engineering in Darlington, until her retirement in 1979.

Elsie, of Consett, and Edna, of Crook, are both active members of the Salvation Army, which marked their birthday in Consett.

They remain close. Elsie said: "We ring each other first thing in the morning and at night so that we know the other is all right before we go to bed."

"And in between," said Edna.