CASTLE HOWARD owner Simon Howard will be dusting off the family train set and dolls' house after doctors revealed that his wife, Rebecca, pregnant with twins, is expecting "one of each".

The couple, who married in a civil ceremony in the grounds of Castle Howard last June, announced the news this week.

A Castle Howard spokeswoman said the couple were delighted to hear that Mrs Howard was to have a boy and a girl. She said: "They are absolutely overjoyed. What could be more perfect?"

Marks and Spencer heiress Rebecca, 34, became pregnant on their honeymoon in June after a fairytale wedding at the stately home which was the setting for the TV adaptation of Brideshead Revisited.

The former Miss Sieff, who is great-niece of the late MandS chairman, Lord Sieff, is the second wife of Old Etonian Mr Howard, 45.

The twins are expected next March.

Updated: 10:59 Wednesday, November 21, 2001