HUNDREDS of unwanted spectacles are being collected in south Durham to help visually impaired people thousands of miles away.

Co-operative Funeralcare, in Church Street, Shildon, has teamed up with Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club to launch the appeal.

The donated glasses will be sorted, including lens removal, by inmates at Deerbolt Young Offenders Institute, in Barnard Castle, before being sent to international charity Vision Aid.

The charity's overseas campaign aims to provide glasses and build facilities to help blind or visually impaired poor people in India.

The funeral service has gathered 500 pairs of glasses already.

The firm aims to reach 1,000 by the end of the year.

Barbara Bates, of Co-op Funeralcare, said; "We wish to thank everyone who has so far donated to our appeal for unwanted spectacles.

"We ask for people to please keep kindly donating them to us."