NEIGHBOURS at a new £2.3 million housing development are seeing double after identical twins moved in next door.

Mums Paula Muir and Karren Fraser, aged 46, are baffling residents in Viking Court, Widnes.

Mum-of-two, Karen, said: “Some people have actually done a double take when they’ve seen us, but we’ve grown up with it so we’re used to it.

“We’ve always lived near to each other but this is the closest we’ve been and it’s great.”

Mum-of-three, Paula, added: “I’ve answered the door at Karren’s house and been chatting away to a neighbour and then she’s come to the door as well and he’s suddenly realised he was talking to the wrong twin.”

The twins moved into their new Halton Housing Trust homes on the same day - but they often do things together.

They both decided to slim.

Karren, who was 22 stone, lost 14 stone after having a gastric band fitted, whilst Paula shed eight stone.

They have both become Zumba exercise teachers and help out at each other’s classes, which they admit can confuse their pupils.

Their unique bond is full of surprising coincidences.

The sisters often go out shopping separately and come back with the same clothes.

When Paula went into labour with her first child, Karren instinctively knew, despite being 200 miles away.

Karren, said: “Paula was in Colchester and I was in Widnes but I started having terrible stomach pains and I said to my mum: ‘Paula must be having the baby’, and she was.”

Karren, who downsized from a four bed house to her new flat, is now making a fresh start.

She said: “I got married in early June and my husband will soon move in here - but luckily, he’s the only person who can tell us apart.”