OVER 100,000 unwanted spectacles, which once lay useless in homes across Britain, have just been sent to 12 destinations in the developing world. It is thanks to many of your readers that thousands of older people have a chance of having their deteriorating sight restored.

Now, especially for the lead up to Christmas, Leeds and Holbeck Building Society is collecting unwanted pairs as a special gift for someone in the developing world.

There is still a desperate need for spectacles and World in Sight has received requests from ophthalmic projects in Mali and Sudan. Prescription, reading and sunglasses are all gratefully accepted and if readers still have unwanted pairs - they just have to hand them in to make a big difference to someone's life.

For the sake of a pair of specs, many older people in developing countries retreat from society. Growing older threatens deteriorating sight. In the developing world this can mean certain isolation. It is expected that the number of people over 60 will double in the next 50 years - 80 per cent of this growth will be in the developing countries. The clamour for glasses can only get louder.

It's needless that there should be an increase of older people being ostracised, taken out of work prematurely and unable to make out the face of their grandchildren. It's thanks to you, that for the inconvenience of not having a second pair of specs, thousands have a second chance at life.

I would like to urge your readers, than next time they are out shopping, to take that old pair of glasses (prescription, sun or reading) no longer used and look out for Dolland and Aitchison, Leeds and Holbeck or Help the Aged outlets which will all gratefully receive them.

RICHARD WILSON, Help the Aged, 207-221, Pentonville Road, London.