STUNNED York mother Mandy Cole couldn't believe her eyes when she read about the Selby twins born on different days.

On Tuesday, the Evening Press reported how the Raddings family had seen their twins born just before and just after midnight on October 16 and 17 at York District Hospital (YDH).

Shocked Mandy, of Fulford Cross, said she was "spooked" by the story, as not only did she give birth to twins on different days at YDH in 1990, she has the same first name as Mandy Raddings, both mothers had a boy and a girl and both named the girl Louise.

She said: "It is just unbelievable, a bit freaky really. Us both having twins on different days is weird enough but us and the girls having the same first names is spooky."

Asked if she had any advice for Mandy Raddings and her husband, Andrew, Mandy said: "I just wish them lots of luck. Having one child is special, but twins is extra special.

"It means a lot of hard work, but every bit is well worth it."

Mandy Cole's daughter Louise was born at 11.40pm on May 24, with son John following at 12.40am on May 25.

Updated: 12:00 Saturday, November 02, 2002