AFTER serving the community in Alloa for the last 37 years, optician Colin Stein is saying his farewells.

The Alva man worked at RD McFarlane on Primrose Street since May 1979, taking over from his mother's cousin Robert who retired.

He later expanded the business to Alva but says he has always maintained a will to do right by his customers.

Colin told the Advertiser: "Primarily, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all my clients who have supported me over the last 37 years in ophthalmic practice. I would especially like thank all my staff who have given me such a outstanding loyalty and dedicated service throughout the years."

Indeed, longevity could be viewed as a defining characteristic of the practice, with a number of staff members racking up decades of service.

Colin said: "When I arrived in Alloa in May 1979, the receptionists were Norma and Maureen. Norma served the firm for another seven years, retiring after after a total of more than 40 years' service in 1996.

"Maureen is still with us and just completed 40 years' service.

"In 1991 I had the opportunity to expand the business and took over Nicol's Opticians in Alva. Our latest recruit as a receptionist at that time was Hazel Mitchell and she celebrates 25 years with the firm this year."

He added: "It has always been my ambition to see the firm prosper and go on long after my retirement. My secret for success is simple: To always provide the best possible service to clients at all times, treating everyone as I would like to be treated myself.

"I am confident that I leave the business in the safe hands of a dedicated team under the leadership of Richard Spruce, Iain McCall and Douglas Richmond and am certain they will endeavour to provide the continued level of eyecare service that our clients have come to expect over the past 80 years from Bob McFarlane and myself."