STAFF at an opticians set their sights on raising money for World Sight Day by dressing up as their favourite fictional characters with glasses.

Workers at Stokes Opticians donned fancy dress costumes to support some of the world’s poorest neighbourhoods, where people are affected by eye disease and cannot afford medical exam-inations.

Pete “Maverick” Mitc-hell from Top Gun, Wally from Where’s Wally, a team of Pink Ladies and Superman’s alter ego Clark Kent were among the characters on display at the opticians in Knowsley Street, Bolton.

The group collected donations from customers and has organised various other fundraisers for the week of World Sight Day.

Sefton Marks, store man-ager of Stokes Opticians, came dressed as Wally.

Mr Marks admitted he was surprised by the success of his store’s fundraiser, adding: “The day went really well, because I wasn’t expecting to raise very much at all. It turns out it’s actually really easy to get money from people when you look a bit silly!”

It was something a bit different and I’m happy so many people donated.”

He added: “Even if it’s just for one or two people in another part of the world, we want to help.

“We always try and raise funds for a charity event relating to sight or sound, as it relates to what we do.”

Across town, the Bolton Society for Blind People held their own fundraiser for World Sight Day.

Volunteers from the group cycled on spin bikes in Victoria Square, as part of its Mile 4 Member event. The group is aiming to cycle 488 miles in seven days.