A Kilbirnie man has been chosen from thousands of proud glasses wearers as a finalist for Specsavers’ Spectacle Wearer of the Year.

Eighteen-year-old Shaundeep Nijjer could take home £10,000 after he was invited to visit Irvine’s Specsavers to receive a personalised certificate and a £150 glasses voucher after securing his regional finalist position.

Shaundeep said: “I was so surprised but so proud to have been selected. Seeing just how many people who had entered, it was astonishing to know I’d made it this far. My younger brother initially wanted to enter himself, but he was too young to take part, so that’s when I decided to enter, so I’m representing my family, as well as myself.”

“I’ve worn glasses for three years, and at the start, I was a bit uncertain about how I felt wearing them. However, they’ve helped me to grow more confident; they look stylish and also perfectly complement my turban. Without my specs, I’d feel incomplete.”

Gillian Syme, store director at Specsavers in Irvine, said: “The Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition is one of the biggest dates in the Specsavers annual calendar, so to hear that one of our own customers had been selected was brilliant news to hear.

“Shaundeep is a lovely young man and everyone in store is wishing him the absolute best for the next steps of the competition. We’re rooting for him to go all the way and scoop the grand prize at the October finals in London.”

The awards were launched by Strictly Come Dancing star and TV personality Oti Mabuse earlier this year. If he triumphs in his category, Shaundeep will meet Oti and rub shoulders with many other celebs at the glitzy awards ceremony at London’s 8 Northumberland Avenue in October.

There are eight categories including a social media winner voted for by the public. All category winners will win a VIP makeover, with one overall winner taking home the ultimate accolade in specs wearing.