Pictured: Optometrist Jan Goodwin and dispensing optician, Sarah Goodwin, owners of Mincher Lockett Opticians in Gnosall and Stafford

A Staffordshire opticians is hosting an open day to mark the arrival of the Olympic torch and celebrate its first anniversary under new ownership.

Staff at Mincher Lockett Opticians in Station Road, Gnosall are busy decorating the practice in red, white and blue this week, ready for the historic event on Wednesday, May 30th  when the torch is due to come right past their front window.

The event comes almost exactly a year to the day since owners,  Sarah Edge and Jan Goodwin, took over the business.

The open event starts at 2pm, and will include a chance to see an extensive range of frames from Adidas – an Olympic Games sponsor – as well as Maui Jim sunglasses and a wide range of other frames, including other designer names.

Youngsters can pick up a goodie bag, and get their faces painted, and there will also be refreshments and nibbles, plus the chance to get a great viewing point for the torch travelling through at around 5pm.

Mrs Edge, a dispensing optician, said the coincidence of the two dates was something staff had really wanted to celebrate.

“Once we realised the torch was coming along Station Road, and right past our practice, and then saw the date, we had to do something to mark it,” she said.

“It has been a really enjoyable first year in the practice, which has seen us invest in a range of new equipment, including a new computer system and eye-testing equipment,  as well as offering a more extensive service, having employed an extra optician.”

Mrs Goodwin added; “This is going to be an historic day for Gnosall.  We’re planning to fly the flag for Team GB, and look forward to sharing the big occasion with everyone in the village.”

Mincher Lockett also has a practice in Stafford, in Stafford Street, which Mrs Edge and Mrs Goodwin have been running since 2007.