FAMILY loyalties will be pushed to the limit at this weekend’s North-East university boat race, with twin brothers racing in opposing crews.

Edward Ford will row for Newcastle, while John will row for Durham.

The 19-year-olds have previously shared a boat in double sculls at national events and have raced each other in single sculls.

However, tomorrow’s race on the River Tyne will be the first time the brothers have faced each other in such a high-profile competition.

Edward said: “There is mutual respect between both boats, but deep down we both want to win, so neither of us will give up if the other team takes an early lead.”

John, the elder twin by seven minutes, said: “We are both very competitive and neither of us likes to be beaten by the other, so we will do our best to stop the other one from winning.

“But we would also be gracious in defeat.”

The twins, from Crewe, in Cheshire, are both first-year students. Edward is studying business management, while John is studying business.

They have just returned from the British Universities and Colleges Sport regatta, held in Nottingham over the Bank Holiday weekend where, for the second successive year, Durham and Newcastle took first and second places respectively.

The 13th annual University Boat Race takes place over a 1.8km course on the River Tyne, from Dunston Staithes to the finish line under the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

Racing will start at 4.30pm.