A WEE COUNTY man has been chosen from thousands of proud glasses wearers as a finalist for Specsavers' Spectacle Wearer of the Year title.

Richard McCaffery from Tillicoultry could follow in the footsteps of last year's award winner, Love Island's Alex Miller, netting £10,000 and the chance to mingle with the stars at the annual Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards.

Glasses wearers across the UK and Republic of Ireland have been showing off their specs style by sharing their selfies online throughout the spring and summer.

The 23-year-old was invited to visit his local Specsavers store in Alloa to receive a bottle of champagne, a certificate and a £125 glasses voucher.

He took the opportunity to try Specsavers' innovative Framestyler technology to help choose a new pair of specs, ahead of the next round of judging.

Richard said: "It is an honour to get to this stage, I never thought anything would come of sending a selfie but I am thrilled.

"My friend had got to this stage of the competition last year so encouraged me to take part as there was nothing to lose and here I am.

"Now it's fingers crossed to get to the next stage."

Richard has only needed prescription glasses for less than a year but has always wanted to wear them.

He said: "I wear glasses because I need them but in reality I was really pleased, going in store and seeing the range they had and what suited me was brilliant especially now with the Framestyler."

Lynne Sangster, retail director of Specsavers, Alloa, said: "We are really rooting for Richard, it would be lovely to have a winner from Alloa.

"I think he has got a great chance but we will just need to wait and see how it goes. To get to the big awards event in London would be brilliant."

There are five age categories: 16-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-59, and over 60, plus a Facebook favourite voted for by the public.

All age category winners will win a VIP makeover, with one overall winner taking home the ultimate accolade in specs wearing.