Passers-by could be forgiven for seeing double if they walk past Hanover Community Centre in Brighton.

As many as nine sets of twins in their double buggies can be seen heading up the hill to a new support group set up to cater for the increasing number of families with twins.

It was started by Anra Simpson, 30, of Islingword Street and Charlotte Clow, 38, of Hanover Street, who both gave birth to twins this year.

Anra, a former primary school teacher, found that the practical difficulties of the over-size pushchairs meant that there was nowhere to meet up with other mothers with twins.

Anra, mother of identical twins Amelia and Lucy, aged six months, said: "When the terraced cottages in Hanover were built in the early 1900s, the tiny doors were certainly not built to accommodate double pushchairs.

"We couldn't fit into each other's houses, and cafes were no easier.

"As winter approached, Charlotte and I realised we needed somewhere to meet on a regular basis.

"It's an absolute delight, having twins. They're gorgeous, but until you have them it's impossible to imagine the effect they're going to have on your life.

"I know people who just didn't ever leave the house for the first year of their babies' lives."

Heather Link, of Egremont Place, Brighton, is mother of one-year-old twins Fred and Sidney.

She said: "It's just so nice to have a meeting place.

"I find being a mother of twins more physically demanding than mentally, so I didn't realise the importance of meeting other people in the same situation until I came here."

The women usually start the meetings by comparing sleep deprivation notes over a cup of tea, although men are very welcome too.