CELEBRITY chef and Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers has shared his story of a brush with glaucoma in a bid to encourage people to get regular eye tests.

The 61-year-old has teamed up with Specsavers to encourage people in the north west to get their eyes tested as the number of older people still in work increases.

Mr Myres said: "I was shocked when I found out I’d developed glaucoma when I was just 54. Thankfully it was spotted during a routine eye test before it was too late but if it had gone unnoticed, I could have gone blind, and that would have had a huge impact on how I do the job I love so much.

"I expect many people in the north west know they should have regular eye tests but our lives are so busy with work and family that it’s not surprising how making an appointment at your opticians can slip. But do take heed of my story."

There are 110,000 people over 65 working in the north west but one in four of them are not getting regular tests making them susceptible to glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.