TWIN sisters who were inseparable for their whole lives have died within weeks of each other, aged 90.

Jean Hardman and Bertha Leak, born Hewitt, were believed to be the oldest identical twins in Bury.

They had been close since they were born, with their family believing they had a “special bond”.

But the sisters were parted when Bertha died on April 17, after suffering from ill health.

While still grieving, her sister Jean died on May 9 from a heart attack.

Jean’s son, Gordon Hardman, aged 59, said: “She was shocked when Bertha died, but she seemed to cope quite well under the circumstances.

“After the funeral, she did dwell on it though. It seemed like she thought it was okay for her to go because Bertha had died.”

Jean and Bertha were the seventh and eighth of 12 children and despite having so many siblings, they were always very close.

They loved spending time together and enjoyed going dancing at Bury Palais when they were younger.

As technology improved, they started talking on the telephone every day.

Mr Hardman, of Bankhouse Road, Brandlesholme, said: “There is a special bond between twins that doesn’t exist with other siblings, so they were always very close.

“Even when they both got married, they were constantly in touch with each other.

“They were very similar in some ways but they had their own personalities. They argued like cat and mouse sometimes. My mum always said Bertha was the boss.”

The twins were born on August 24, 1920, at the family home in Tottington Road, Bury.

They were educated at Elton Council School and they both joined the ambulance service during the Second World War.

Jean later worked in the school meals sector and residential care business, while Bertha worked in the textile trade for a number of years.

Jean married Leonard and went on to have two children and four grandchildren, and Bertha and husband William had three children and two grandchildren.

Their husbands both died several years ago. In recent years, their health declined and Jean moved from her son’s home to Burrswood house Nursing And Residential Home, in Newton Street, Bury, in June last year.

Bertha remained in her own home in Cornall Street, Tottington, until she became ill a few weeks ago and moved to Cameron House Care Home, in Cameron Street, Bury.

As well as leaving their children and grandchildren, they are survived by one remaining sibling, 85-year-old Albert.