SPECTACLES belonging to the late TV presenter Richard Whiteley have brought joy to three Ethiopians with poor eyesight.

The glasses were taken to Africa by Michele de Vaal, a volunteer with the Vision Aid Overseas charity.

They were donated by the television star's partner, Kathryn Apanowicz, who lives near Miss de Vaal, in East Witton, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

Miss de Vaal said: "Ethiopia is a long way from East Witton and while I was working out there, I couldn't help but wonder what Richard would have thought about what we were doing.

"He would often stop and ask how the project was doing and I think he would be thrilled and delighted to know that his spectacles are helping people in Africa."

The spectacles were given to three people who all had the same prescription as the former Countdown presenter.

One pair was given to Adam, a tailor with two wives and 13 children, who was unable to thread the needle on his sewing machine.

Schoolteacher Muligator had difficulty marking his pupils' books until he received a pair.

And until she received her new spectacles, 15-year-old schoolgirl Tablet was unable to see the blackboard properly.

Miss de Vaal was joined on the trip to Africa by a television crew from the BBC programme, Inside Out. The episode will be screened at 7.30pm tonight, on BBC1.

Miss Apanowicz said: "When Richard died I found a few pairs and decided to give them to Michele. Watching the film, I felt a mixture of emotions. There was sadness that the person who should be wearing them isn't here any longer, but also I'm pleased that these three people can now take care of themselves again.

"Without the glasses, the tailor couldn't sew, the schoolgirl could not study and possibly go on to become a doctor, and the teacher could not take his class."

Vision Aid Overseas helps some of the 150 million people in the world whose eyesight would be improved by wearing glasses, but cannot afford to buy a pair.

To find out more about the charity or make a donation, visit www.vao.org.uk