BASKETBALL playing twins who won scholarships to the same American university have graduated with distinctions.

Joanne Stephenson and Julie Barber, 24, became hooked on basketball while studying at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington. The twins, who live in Ferryhill, were delighted to be offered scholarships at the University of North Caroline in Asheville.

The scholarship funding fell through after three years and the twins had to pay for their last year themselves.

While in America they played for the university basketball team, called the Bulldogs, in one of the most competitive college leagues in the country.

The twins, who both graduated with a distinction in mass communication, are keeping their options open about their future careers.