STAFF from a Torfaen opticians received a special visit from the Specsavers co-founder after they scored top marks for their service.

Doug Perkins visited the Cwmbran branch of Specsavers last week to congratulate them on their achievements in 2016, with their lab team scoring 100 per cent in a Specsavers quality audit.

The store, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, recently received a £200,000 refurbishment and were the only team in Wales to achieve the top quality score.

Mr Perkins, who founded Specsavers in 1984 with his wife Dame Mary Perkins, said: "It’s been a momentous 12 months for the team in Cwmbran and I am delighted to have been able to come and congratulate them personally on all they have accomplished

"It’s fantastic to see how far this store has come, from its humble beginnings in 1991 to a thriving community store with a 50-strong team and state-of-the-art technology."

The major refurbishment programme at the Cwmbran store saw the creation of two new optical testing rooms, a pre-screening room and five additional dispensing points, as well as investment in new testing equipment.

It has also just completed a £10,000 laboratory refurbishment, investing in new technology and staff training as well as employing a new member of staff.

Cwmbran store director, Mark Edwards, added: "It was fantastic to show Doug all that the team has achieved here.

"We’re a locally-owned business operation, but to welcome Doug, the co-founder of the Specsavers model, was the perfect way to mark what has been an unforgettable year for us."