SLEEPING in twin beds covered with identical bedspreads and dressing identically, there is one difference between identical twins Violet Brockett and Winifred Troupe - one sister talks more than the other.

Born in Hackney on December 7, 1913 Violet and Winifred celebrated their 88th birthdays last year and astoundingly they both still have the energy of spring lambs.

Believed to be the oldest identical twins in London, Violet and Winifred are back together again after over 60 years of living in separate houses. And not surprisingly the identical pair are perfectly happy sharing their cosy Wanstead flat with each other.

"Every night we kiss each other good night," said Violet, as her and her sister demonstrate their evening routine by throwing their arms round each others' necks and planting a smacker on each cheek.

"Winifred is ten minutes older," and before the sentence is complete Violet is interrupted by her sister, "She's the talkative one," finishes Winifred.

"Wini was the first to arrive and mummy said she came out full speed ahead," continued Violet, "when I crawled out my big toe was left behind."

But tardiness at birth is in no way indicative of the unbounding energy Violet has for life. Engaged four times, but never tying the knot, Miss Brockett has been a part-time artist, full-time telephonist and volunteer for the Red Cross for 50 years.

And while Violet never made the trip up the aisle her sister Winifred had two husbands and one daughter - a model who now lives in New Zealand.

For nearly two years the sisters have lived together in Violet's Blakehall Road flat after Winifred's second husband, Victor, passed away. Crowded with family photographs, cuddly toys and comfy chairs, in their old age the sisters have grown even closer, the last survivors of a family of five children.

"We are more alike then ever before," said Violet and like most identical twins they have tales of spooky connections to tell.

"When Violet was in her 20s she was having her kidney out while I was working," began Winifred, "And when they did the operation she felt like her sides were being ripped apart," finished Violet.

And now Violet experiences a funny tingle whenever Winifred has an injection.

Both left school at 14 but illness separated the pair for four and half years after Violet contracted spinal TB just as the Second World War broke out and she had to be evacuated to a hospital in Lowestoft. But even years in spinal frame could not diminish Violet's spirits.

After the war finished the pair found work as cinema ushers in Hackney, but being twins they were not allowed to work at the same cinema. Violet became an usher at the Hackney Empire while Winifred was employed at the Dalston Empire.

But after Winifred married her first husband, George Davies, in the 1930s their employment paths diverged.

Now the twins are back together again making their mark on Wanstead just by walking around.

"Everybody looks at us when go out and says about us being twins. We are known around Wanstead," said Violet.

"We are out every day. Not long ago someone in Somerfield's said what on earth are you two doing in this wind, but we like to go out. We like to be positive. It's positive thinking that keeps us well."

Wearing the same turquiose jumpers, grey slacks and slip-on shoes with a smudge of red lipstick to brighten up their faces, the twins look the picture of health.

But while Winifred's and Violet's father used to call them Wini-Vi because he found it hard to tell the difference between the two, there are a couple of distinguishing features.

"Winifred's got size seven feet, while I have size eight, I am also slightly taller. That's the way with indentical twins," said Violet.