AN AWARD-WINNING fish shop is helping to tip the scales in favour of a fundraising mission to help a blind veteran see once again.

The Fish Works takeaway on Largs seafront is backing the collection for a special pair of specs for John Hutchinson, 90.

John was recently given a trial of state of the art glasses created by university boffins, which enabled him to see.

They were taken away from him for further improvements and are now being sold by a commercial company, at a whopping £2500.

The News is helping a push by the Royal British Legion Largs branch to get John the special specs so he can see his wife again, and the beautiful sunsets of Largs coastline.

The legion have already handed £1,000 towards the fund and now Tiffany Irvin, the co-owner of The Fish Works, is delighted to get involved.

Tiffany said: "I know John as we both often meet each other when we walk our dogs at the Noddleburn.

"I met him when he had his new glasses and he was telling me how fantastic they were, and he even told me how beautiful I looked, which was very kind of him.

"I didn't actually realise that John only had them on trial until I saw it in the paper.

"I then had a meeting with The Fish Works staff and we decided to try and do something to rally round and help John.

"We decided to do a 100 square raffle, and £1 per square, and win five Fish Works suppers.

"We have already raised £100, and we are now on to our second sheet and that is almost half full.

"It is a very small community and everyone knows everyone, so if we can rally round and help John get his glasses, it will be a great thing.

"It would be great to help John get his new glasses and he can come down to the Fish Works in the summer, and enjoy the fantastic scenery of our coastline."

Ruth Gregory, secretary of the Royal British Legion Largs branch, said: "I think John has been quite overcome by the response from the public and I am sure he will be absolutely delighted.

"We are overcome by the kindness shown and so delighted the general public are supporting it."

The Royal British Legion Largs branch have set up a fund for John's glasses and donations can be made by cheque or cash to: Largs Branch RBLS (Glasses) Post or drop through letterbox to: The Secretary Largs Branch RBLS, 17 Haco Street, Largs , KA30 9BE.