DESIGN students are hoping for some spectacular suc- cess.

A national opticians chain has thrown down a challenge for eye-catching designs for glasses.

Designs have been requested for both men and women, children, and also in prescription sunglasses. The winning frames will be manufactured.

David Stockton, of the Specsavers Middlesbrough store, said: "Image is extremely important and producing the right kind of glasses for the right look is key to keeping our customers happy."

The challenge has been taken up by second year industrial design students at the University of Teesside.

Principal lecturer Tim Platt said: "I am sure that we will see some fantastic creations and just selecting one winner is going to be a very difficult task.