A WIDNES optician collected nearly 2,000 pairs of glasses last year to help the people of Zambia to see clearly.

Staff and customers at Specsavers have shown their generosity by donating their old glasses to a project with Vision Aid Overseas, Store director Angela Perls said: ‘We would really like to thank all of our customers who helped us in this project.

“In a country where opticians’ services are readily available, such as the UK, it is easy to take our vision for granted.

“In the developing world, the provision of optical services has a real impact on peoples’ lives”

All the collected glasses are recycled and the money made is used to help provide eyecare in developing countries.

So far, Specsavers has channelled more than £800,000 into eye care charity Vision Aid Overseas.

In 2011, the company opened Zambia’s first optometry training centre.

Old glasses are still being collected at the Widnes store in Albert Road.