IT was double trouble for a new parent-led initiative in Minehead last Friday.

Local mum Becki Clarke is behind the launch of the twins and multiple birth group - just nine weeks after giving birth to identical boys Jake and Charlie.

And the first of the planned fortnightly meetings was anything but quiet.

A total of six mums with twins of various ages turned up to the gathering at the Alcombe Children's Centre.

But the number is expected to rise to ten within the next month or so.

Becki and her partner Andrew Ely discovered they were having twins at their 12-week scan.

And with daughter Grace - now three - already on the scene, Becki soon started looking for someone who could give her a clue as to what family life in the future might be like.

"I looked online to see if there were any twins groups but the nearest was Taunton," said Becki, a former nursery nurse.

"It was such a shock to discover we were having twins and there were so many things I wanted to ask people in the same situation as me.

"I spoke to a couple of mums of twins locally while I was pregnant and everyone seemed to agree that it would be nice to set up our own group in Minehead."

The children's centre has given the parents a free venue and use of resources and anyone coming along has the option of paying 50p to cover the cost of refreshments.

"It was really great to meet up with the other mums," said Becki, who was helped by fellow 'twinner' Louise Howard in getting the initiative off the ground.

"It's a chance to sit down, relax and share stories and advice - I've come away from the first session with three really useful tips so it's certainly been worthwhile.

"There's been a very positive response so far so I just hope people will continue to come along.

"We haven't got any triplets yet but you never know."

The group will meet again next Friday (November 8) from 1pm to 3pm and fortnightly thereafter.

Pictured from the left are Kelly Blay with Samantha and Jessica, Liane Heath with Noah and Jacob, Becki Clarke with Jake and Charlie, Louise Howard with Poppy and Ruby and Shauna Lynch with Orla-Mai and Frankie.

Photo: Steve Guscott