Twins Ben and Chris Hutchinson will fly the flag for England in a prestigious international meeting in March.

The 16-year-olds from East Grinstead are in the England squad for the Home Schools International in the Republic of Ireland.

Chris said: "I do''t think there are too many twins in swimming, let alone a pair representing their country. We're pleased and proud."

It will be an international debut for Chris, the older of the brothers by two minutes, and a second appearance for Ben who performed in the World School Games in France last year.

Chris received a late call-up while Ben thought he would have to miss the opportunity because of a fixture clash.

"I was shocked to get in," admitted Chris.

"I am a bit more laid back than Ben and would rather stay in bed than get up to go training twice a week before school like he does. I don't solely concentrate on swimming when it comes to sport like Ben. I do judo, basketball and athletics.

"But it was a pleasant shock. I have been told I will swim the front crawl leg of the relay.

"I don't think my brother and I will share the same room on the trip. He get on my nerves! I am sure that's the same for most brothers. We wind each other up.

"We might be identical but we are different with separate groups of friends and we don't have intuition like twins are supposed to have!"

Ben thought he would have to pull out of the trip after he was ordered to compete in the British Long Course Championships in Sheffield in the same week because he is part of the ASA world class potential programme.

He said: "I was due to compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle in Sheffield. But the ASA and myself talked it through. Sheffield was part of qualification for the European Junior Games in July and it was felt I stood more chance in the 100m. As the 100m is scheduled early in the week I am able to compete in it and then travel on to Ireland."

Ben was selected for the last Home International in Wales two years ago but the foot-and-mouth epidemic caused its cancellation.

He added: "I'm delighted to get another opportunity."

The brothers, who attend Imberhorne and are Crawley Swimming Club members, have cut down on competition in recent months to balance their sport with educational demands.

Ben competed for the first time in two months at the weekend when he represented Crawley in the Hatfield Open.

He clocked 59 seconds in the 100m backstroke before missing the finals because of a back problem.

He said: "It was good to be back. I withdrew just as a precaution and have had physio on my back."

Chris, meanwhile, attended his first Southern Counties training camp at Crystal Palace.

He said: "It was tough but I enjoyed it and learned plenty, including tips on diet."