IDENTICAL twins could not be separated by GCSE examiners, who awarded them matching results in each subject they tackled.

Sixteen-year-olds Jonathan and Christopher Best both achieved a clean sweep of A* grades in all ten exams at Durham School, where their father, Derek, is deputy headmaster.

The brothers sat nine similar subjects, but Christopher's other A* grade was in Latin, while Jonathan's came in geography.

Having been in virtually every class together since starting at Durham School in 1998, the brothers will be seeing less of each other when the new term begins next month.

Jonathan, who hopes to become a doctor, has opted to study physics, chemistry, biology and French at A-level.

Christopher, who hopes to be a lawyer, is also taking French, but his other subject choices are German, English and history.

Despite first impressions, Jonathan said it was possible to identify him from his brother.

"People get mixed up when they first meet us, but you can tell us apart, mostly from mannerisms.

"We've been in most of the same classes since we came to the school, but I wouldn't want to do everything the same as my brother."

Away from their studies, both are also keen musicians, playing piano. Christopher is also an adept organist.

But Jonathan considers himself more of a sportsman than his brother, particularly specialising in swimming and water polo.

The Best brothers' GCSE achievement was equalled by school friend Robert Frater, from Hartlepool, who scored A* grades in ten full subjects.

Robert will study French, German, English and maths at A-level, and, like Christopher, hopes to take law at university.

The boys were among 83 per cent of candidates at the school to achieve five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C, with an average of more than seven GCSE passes per pupil.

Language results proved particularly impressive, with every pupil sitting German, and all top set French candidates, receiving A* or A passes.