THREE Kent residents will be spending this February 29 enjoying the hedonism of their teenage years – despite being middle-aged.

For Paul and Andrew Butler, February 29 is doubly special, as the twin brothers celebrate their 13th official birthday, and their 52nd unofficial birthday.

The two men were born on February 29, 1956 – and as a result have rarely been out of the local papers on leap years.

Paul, of Earlsfield Road, Hythe, said: “The headline for our first coverage was 'Hythe woman has twins on leap year.’

“We appeared in the papers again when we were four and eight but that stopped after our family moved to Essex when we were 11.”

The twins returned to Hythe in their 20s. Paul is now a sales rep for Crown Cards in Bexleyheath, and dad-of-three Andrew lives in South Road and is a partner in solicitors’ firm Worthingtons, in Folkestone.

Paul said: “Usually, though, our birthdays are just another day and in other years we mark them on February 28.

“It amuses me that I drive a car, have been married twice and have three children, when on paper I am just turning 13.”

Elsewhere, John Lake of Wellesley Road, Ashford, will be acting his age at his birthday bash as he holds a school disco for his 15th leap year.

Mr Lake, who will actually turn 60, will dress in school uniform along with other guests for a theme night.

Mr Lake, said: “I will wear grey trousers, which will be taken up and turned into shorts.

“I will probably use my rugby club blazer and tie to help make up the rest of the uniform.

“The disco will have music from the Sixties, when I was a schoolboy.

Mr Lake, a factory production manager, is the former clubhouse manager at Ashford Rugby Club, and his wife Jenny, 59, is the honorary secretary. They have two children, John, 32, and Paul, 30.

He added: “I suppose all of us want to be young again.”