Pictured above: Optician Paul Lee, who has just joined the staff at Mincher Lockett Opticians

An opticians with practices in Stafford and Gnosall has welcomed a new member of staff to its team, as part of plans to expand the services it offers.

Optician Paul Lee has joined Mincher-Lockett Opticians, just weeks after owners Sarah Edge and Jan Goodwin bought their Station Road practice in Gnosall.

They already own a practice in Stafford Street in Stafford, which they have extended and refurbished in recent years, as well as making significant investments on state-of-the-art equipment,  to ensure they offer a comprehensive service.

Mrs Edge and Mrs Goodwin intend to introduce more modern equipment to their Gnosall practice too, and have already begun to offer NHS diabetic screening and macular pigment screening since taking over.

Mr Lee's appointment means that the Gnosall practice will now be offering eye-testing on more days.

The 37-year-old  has been a qualified optician for 14 years, and joins Mincher-Lockett from a practice in Leek.

Married with two children, he lives in Stone, and is a looking forward to being back in Stafford, having worked in the town some years ago, and is particularly excited by the plans for the business.

"It is great to be joining Mincher-Lockett at a time when the business is expanding, and I have been really impressed by Jan and Sarah's vision for the future direction of the company too," he said.

"I will be dividing my time between Stafford and Gnosall, and am really looking forward to getting to know customers in both practices."

Mrs Goodwin said employing Mr Lee would now allow the business to push ahead with other plans.

"Taking on another full-time optician will mean that we can extend some of our services, as well as being able to offer more eye-testing at both our practices and we are delighted to welcome Paul to the business," she added.

"As we are contact lens specialists, Paul's experience will expand and complement our existing services."