THE old saying ‘double trouble’ has been turned on its head as two sets of South Lakeland sisters have brought home first class honours degrees.

Identical twins Emma and Lucy Cottam of Hagg End Farm, New Hutton, both received firsts in pharmacy while Aimee and Jessica Wilson, of Cartmel, came away with firsts in fashion and English.

“I think we just enourage each other to work hard!,” said Emma Cottam, 22. “We lived together while at university too so we were always spurring each other on and we were delighted that we both got exactly the same results.”

All four girls studied in Manchester with the Cottams and Jessica Wilson at the University of Manchester and Aimee WIlson at Manchester Metropolitan University.

After completing their A-levels at Kirkbie Kendal School, Emma and Lucy Cottam decided to study pharmacy after looking at what sort of jobs their science based A-levels could lead to.

With their elder sisters, Judith and Nicola, both graduating with firsts in opthalmics a few years earlier, they had firm footsteps to follow in.

“They definitely inspired us to have a strong work ethic and showed us the opportunities out there but we also grew up on a farm so we’ve never been afraid of getting stuck in and getting on with things,” added Emma.

Both girls have won post-graduate training contracts with Boots the Chemist with Emma based at the Lancaster store and Lucy in Carlisle.

Jessica and Aimee Wilson, the daughters of Trevor and Lesley Wilson of Low Bankside Farm, Cartmel, went to Cartmel Primary School before attending Cartmel Priory CE School and Ulverston VIctoria High School for sixth form.

They started university in Manchester a year apart with Aimee studying at Manchester Metropolitan University’s prestigious fashion school and Jessica on an English course at the University of Manchester.

Jessica, 21, is now working for Centrica energy company and Aimee, 22, is working for Boardman Brothers accessory designers in Manchester after six week stint of work experience turned into a full time job.

Proud father Mr Wilson said: “We heard that Aimee got a first and we were delighted, and then we found out we had two and it was incredible! I was over the moon. It’s unbelievable how hard they’ve worked and the fact they’ve landed jobs within days of graduating is even better news, especially in this economic climate when so many youngsters are unemployed.”

Like the Cottam twins Jessica and Aimee were also brought up on a farm - something their father thinks has contributed to their desire to work hard.

“Since they were kids they’ve worked on the farm and I’m sure that sort of work ethic early on in life has stood them in good stead,” he added.