BOOTS Opticians in Helensburgh are preparing to host a Tales and Teapots party as part of their partnership with the National Literacy Trust.

The partnership highlights the link between eye health and literacy and aims to improve the life chances of the most disadvantaged children in the UK by improving literacy.

Colleagues in the Helensburgh branch are taking on a Community Challenge to start to help make a difference at the heart of their local community.

Carolyn Aitken, from Boots Opticians in Helensburgh, launched an early years reading group at the library design to benefit children aged 2-5 years old called 'Literacy Helensburgh'.

She said: "I wanted to launch something great in the community I live with the long term goal of improving literacy skills that stay for life and contribute to a high achieving generation of school children in the future."

Developing from this, the team decided to host the Tales and Teapots party, which will run in store from 9am until 5.30pm on Friday, June 2.

Carolyn said: "We know that good vision is the foundation for learning, and an undiagnosed vision problem can affect a child’s ability to concentrate for long periods of time and delay reading development.

"We love using our skills to inspire reading and literacy with good eye health, and hope to continue this work within the community.

"Tales and Teapots is a chance for volunteers, colleagues, friends and family to come together and celebrate the love of reading while helping to give disadvantaged children across the UK the literacy skills they need to succeed."

All contributions made on the day will will go towards helping change the lives of some of the most disadvantaged children in the UK.

National Literacy Trust director Jonathan Douglas said: “A child with an undiagnosed eye condition will not be able to read easily, which will prevent them from experiencing the joys of books.

"Children who enjoy reading will do better at school and are more likely to get a good job as well as be healthier and have stronger relationships.

"Our partnership with Boots Opticians is visionary in that it highlights the clear link between literacy and eye health.

"Volunteers taking part will transform the life chances of the most disadvantaged children by encouraging them to read more and look after their eye health.”