TWO North-East visionaries have set their sights on a new store in a market town.

Tim Mitchinson and Maria Sattar are to officially unveil the new Specsavers’ branch in Barnard Castle, which has created five new roles amid a large cash injection in the Teesdale town.

They are the joint forces behind the new Horse Market store, which aims to deliver enhanced optical and audiology services in the town.

It features a range of 1,000 frames, an optical coherence tomography machine, a cutting edge piece of equipment often found in eye hospitals, plus two test rooms, with an audiology facility and disabled access.

Mr Mitchinson, now running the chain’s Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe branches, has a wealth of experience in optical and audiology services.

Co-director Ms Sattar has worked as an opthalmic optician for nine years, the last three of which she has also been based at the Bishop Auckland store.

Saturday’s launch will include balloons and entertainment, including a stiltwalker.