STAFF at two opticians' stores have donated £1,000 towards a vital lifesaving appeal.

Specsavers branches in Blackheath and Dudley contributed the cash towards a nationwide fundraising drive at the chain for the Oxygen for India appeal.

India is desperately short of oxygen for patients hit by Covid in the country - in total Specsavers has now given £210,000 to the charity fund.

Specsavers Blackheath and Dudley store director, Gurdeep Dosanjh, said: "We have all seen the pictures from India and we wanted to do something to help.

"The response to the pandemic requires global action, everyone has been affected in some way in the last 15 months and as a team we felt it was important to show our support.

Specsavers managing director, Paul Marshall, added: "These incredible sums raised will be put to work supporting the appeal and helping India in its hour of need.

"I am enormously proud of how quickly and passionately our store partners have responded - it is a testament to the care and compassion Specsavers is globally recognised for."