A MARRIED couple of loyal customers have helped launch a new opticians in the town centre.

Diana Pearce, 70, and husband Barry, 76, have attended the same Bridport opticians for a combined total of 100 years, The customers were chosen to perform the honours at the relaunch of Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care at its new premises on East Street.

Mr and Mrs Pearce will also presented with a bouquet of flowers and a gift voucher as a thank you.

Mr Pearce, a retired welder, started going to the branch when he was a child - while his wife, who works as a part-time assistant at Frost's newsagents, has been a customer for around 40 years.

Mrs Pearce said: "I could not believe it when we were asked to open the new branch.

"We were happy to do it because they are so friendly here and we get very good service."

Manager of the Bridport branch, Sophie Briggs, said it was "fitting" that Mr and Mrs Pearce opened the firm's new premises .

She said: "They are a lovely couple who have entrusted their eye care to us for a long time.

"They are also very supportive when we have charity events. We thought it fitting if they launched our new premises.”

The branch was formerly Melson Wingate Opticians and became part of Scrivens in 2002. It has moved just a few doors down the street to bigger premises which offer better facilities including two testing rooms instead of one.

The new branch also boasts the latest digital eye examination equipment, and a new and updated range of frames, including the latest designer names. A full range of hearing care services is also provided.

Offers, including a £10 eye test and up to 50 per cent off frames, will also celebrate the launch.

The firm was founded in 1938 by qualified optician and pharmacist Solomon Scriven, who started operating from the heart of the Midlands, with a focus on customer care and eyecare service. Scrivens’ business expanded rapidly at the end of the Second World War, and by the early 1950s, new stores opened in London and Sheffield.

It was during this same period that a hearing aid service was introduced into Scrivens Opticians practices to provide an additional dimension to the firm's service.

Today, there are more than 170 stores across England, including Bridport, Dorchester and Sherborne. For more information, visit scrivens.com