LANDLADIES Clare and Anna Bedford are to get even more experience at serving bottles, after the sisters found out they are both pregnant.

And rustling up a bottle for baby should be no problem, because their partners - brothers Mark and Paul Innes - are both milkmen.

Anna, 30, has been the landlady for eight years at Ye Olde Earl Grey, in Kyo, near Stanley, County Durham, while her sister, Clare, 23, is in her fourth year as tenant licensee at the Hat and Feather Inn, in Medomsley, near Consett.

"I couldn't believe it when I found out that I was expecting at the same time as Anna," said Clare.

"We have been close all our lives and always done things together, even dating Mark and Paul, so I suppose that this is just another thing to add to the list."

She met Mark 18 months ago, when they went on a double date with Anna and Paul.

The sisters' parents, Johnny and Rose Bedford, have run pubs in the North-East for almost 30 years.

Mr Bedford, who runs three bars in Swalwell, Gateshead, said: "There will be some celebrating in Consett when the kids are born, and, one thing's for certain, there won't be a shortage of alcohol, or milk, to wet the babies' heads."

Anna is due in seven weeks' time, while Clare is expected to give birth in March.

"We are really pleased because they will be in the same year at school and can look after each other," said Clare.