TWINS Jess and Alex Eddie are proving a powerful partnership as they make a splash in the junior rowing world.

The sisters separated by 22 minutes at birth have shared a passion for rowing since a friend introduced them to their local amateur club in Durham as 11-year-olds.

Now aged 15, they have run up 20 wins together this season, and recently beat off the challenge of public school-backed opposition in GB squad trials.

They earned selection at junior-16s level in double sculls, using twin-bladed oars, for an international match at Nantes, in France.

Despite losing to a more experienced French duo, they were only two lengths behind at the finishing line.

The twins hope their weekly routine of six days of river training under coach Gordon Beattie will lead to further international call-ups next season.

Alex said: "We will still be in the under-16s category." The aim is to qualify for next summer's junior European Championship, although preparations must fit round GCSE studies at Durham St Leonard's School.