SOLDIERS spending Christmas away from home are in for a boost following a collection overseen by Stourbridge opticians.

A appeal by Specsavers on the town's High Street received more than 135 shoeboxes with gifts inside which were this week dispatched by the charity Support Our Soldiers, to servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jason Bridgewater, store manager at Stourbridge Specsavers, said: "It will be a tough time for those troops away from home this Christmas, but hopefully these gifts will demonstrate the support they have back here.

"We also want to remind people that although the activity for Support Our Soldiers has now come to a close, we are still raising money for Help for Heroes and will be accepting donations until December 31."

For more information visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/stourbridge