Specsavers is going to Sheppey.

The family-run firm famous for its "Should've Gone To Specsavers" advertising slogan, is taking over the former Pound Town shop in the heart of Sheerness.

Work has already begun converting the empty premises in the High Street opposite the clock tower.

The shop has been an empty eyesore for many months.

Brian Spoor, chairman of the Sheerness Town Team, welcomed the move.

He said: "It is heart-warming to know that a national chain has confidence in the town.

"Many new businesses have either opened or are preparing to open in Sheerness. Businesspeople are waking up to the Island's potential."

Specsavers, which was founded by husband and wife team Doug and Mary Perkins in 1984, is now one of Britain's biggest optical retail companies with more than 1,700 stores here and abroad. It is based on Guernsey in the Channel Islands.

A spokesman for the firm said: "We are delighted to be opening a new Specsavers store in Sheerness High Street soon."

It will be owned and operated by Jia Chiang Cheong and Caroline Matthews who run the Specsavers' Sittingbourne branch.

The national company, which has a turnover of more than £1.7 billion, sells glasses from £29 and now also sells hearing aids.

Companies House confirmed a new firm called Sheerness Specsavers was created in April.

Sheerness already has two independent opticians, John Frewin and W&K Pope.