Three generations of a family from Shenley gathered to toast a birthday with a difference recently.

Twin sisters Janet and Jill both celebrated their sixtieth birthdays this month, and enjoyed a medieval banquet at The Old Palace in Hatfield House along with their daughters, grandchildren and friends.

The twins both got married 40 years ago at St Botophls church in Shenley, now a private house, and they will celebrate again later this year when their wedding anniversaries come around.

Jill married Jim Evans, a maintenance man, and carried on living in Shenley, while her sister Janet married John Hampson, who worked in the film industry, and moved to Borehamwood.

Jill's daughter Lorraine had two boys, nine-year old Kane and seven-year old Jake.

Lorraine came up with the idea for a banquet along with her cousin ? and Janet's daughter ? Rebecca Hardwick, and brought 20 people to the hall to toast the twin's on their birthday.

'It was a fabulous surprise,' said Janet, before her sister Jill added: 'It was a great night out.'

Rebecca, who has two twin daughters of her own, twelve-year-olds Danielle and Suzannah, said: 'I think twins must run in the family, we are very close though.

'Normally we have a bit of a do for anniversaries, but this was a little bit special.'