THE director of a Widnes opticians is retiring after 36 years of service, passing the reins onto her daughter to run the family business.

Angela Perls has overseen an incredible 750,000 eye tests and dispensed more than one million pairs of glasses during her time working at Specsavers Widnes.

The retiring director of dispensing will be passing the reins this summer to retail director and her own daughter, Charlotte Stokes.

Charlotte will be stepping into her mother’s shoes to take over the family business and join current ophthalmic director Mark Levi.

Since cutting the ribbon 36 years ago, Angela has worked with hundreds of team members, some of whom have gone on to become fully qualified opticians and store partners with Specsavers themselves.

Commenting on her retirement, Ms Perls said: “I’m so pleased to have been at Specsavers Widnes from day one.

“Of course, it will be a hard day saying goodbye to the team after so long, but knowing the store is passing into the safe hands of Charlotte, I know it will go from strength to strength.

“What an amazing 36 years it's been working within the Specsavers family. I’m so proud of everything the store has achieved over the years and the milestones we’ve passed together.

“I know who I’ll be visiting for my own eye tests from now on.”

Specsavers retail director, Charlotte Stokes added: “Angela has been at Specsavers Widnes from the original ribbon cutting and has achieved so much in that time.

“It’s amazing to know I’ll be taking over such a well-run business, and it’s comforting to know I’ve learned from the best.

“I’m so lucky to have worked alongside my mum and I look forward to building upon her success.”