A CHESTER-le-Street opticians is celebrating ten years in the town by raising money for a local hospice.

Specsavers, in Front Street, has been donating 10p from every £10 spent in store since Sunday, May 25, to St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham. The drive ends on Sunday, June 1.

One of the store’s first customers, Doreen Summers, was given a free pair of spectacles and a bouquet of flowers by store director Ross McLachlan.

Customers have the opportunity to win a pair of designer glasses by guessing the number of recycled glasses for Vision Aid Overseas in a jar.

The store has tripled its number of staff from five to 15 and looks after more than 25,000 local customers since it first opened.

Store director Ross McLachlan said: “We have been serving the people of the town for a decade now. It’s hard to believe we will be celebrating our tenth birthday as time really has gone past so quickly.

“Over the last ten years, we have seen major advancements in technology and attitudes towards eyecare, with more people conscious about taking care of their eyesight by getting regular checks.

“We are hoping to raise a fantastic amount of money for St Cuthbert’s Hospice during the week, which will be a lovely way to mark our decade in Chester-le-Street.”