A Melksham opticians has proved it’s got real specs appeal, after it received almost 1,000 donated pairs of glasses to help improve eyecare in Africa.

All the unwanted spectacles collected by the Specsavers branch on Bank Street will be recycled in the UK, with proceeds from selling the materials going to Vision Aid Overseas.

Optical assistant Charlotte Broomfield said: “We had 847 pairs in the last year.”

The funds raised will go towards an eyecare clinic and teaching facility in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka.

Store director Martyn Thomas said: “We are really proud of how well the local community has supported our charity drive for VAO. We continue to collect unwanted spectacles, so more donations are welcome.”