These siblings are thought to be the first “black and white” twins born in the UK – despite coming from the same egg.
Libby Appleby, 37, was told her unborn babies would look so similar that they would need to be “marked with ink” to tell them apart.
But she was surprised when Amelia was born with dark skin, black hair and brown eyes – while her sister Jasmine has fair skin, blue eyes and mousey curls.
Despite their contrasting skin tones, the siblings are genetically identical and are thought to be the first of their kind in the country.
Ms Appleby said: “When they were born, we were flabbergasted, even the doctors couldn’t believe it.
“They look like they’re different races. Amelia is the spitting image of her dad, while Jasmine is a mini version of me.”
The 37-year-old, of West Rainton, County Durham, said strangers assume the twins – who have just celebrated their first birthday – are step-sisters.
She added: “We get a lot of funny looks when we tell people the girls are actually identical.”