TO HELP educate young people on a career in optics, a Croydon optician recently visited to a local school.

Clarke Longwell, store director and optometrist of both Specsavers stores in Croydon, was invited to Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College for Girls to discuss the importance of eye examinations and careers in the industry.

Mr Longwell says: ‘I wasn’t exactly sure how interested the girls would be, but once I started talking to them, they began to ask lots of questions. It’s really inspiring to know that by speaking to them, I may have just influenced the next generation of optometrists.’ The visit lasted a few hours and the girls were able to see the different equipment used by an optometrist on a daily basis. Mr Longwell explained the route and study required to becoming fully qualified and also how and why people use contact lenses, including the different materials they are formed of and why. If your school would like an educational visit, or to book an eye examination, visit Specsavers, 112 North End, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1UD, call 0208 681 8688, or log onto www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/croydonnorth Based on information supplied by .