AN optician's shop in Worcester city centre has raised more than £500 for a charity that helps provide guide dogs, mobility and other services for blind and partially sighted people.

Specsavers invited guide dog puppies Ellie and Dougal to a fund-raising day at its store in Broad Street to help generate awareness of Guide Dogs for the Blind and collect donations.

Staff contributed £5 from every eye examination on the day and even carried out repairs on people's glasses in return for a donation to the charity.

Store director Randeep Singh, who donned a guide dog suit and walked about the town centre encouraging shoppers to make a contribution, said: "Thank you to everyone who supported us on our fund-raising day. We really enjoyed hosting the event which was helped by the customers who played a huge part in its success."

Guide Dogs corporate fund-raiser Steve Muxworthy said: "To fully support a guide dog throughout its life costs £37,000 - to cover vet's bills, training for the dog and its owner and ongoing support, but we can start making a difference with just £60, which will buy a harness, collar and bell."

Source: Worcester News