A YOUNG girl who has bravely battled eye cancer has opened a new opticians in Dorchester.

Sophie Williams, from Dorchester, cut the ribbon at the Vision Express store in South Street.

The five-year-old was asked to join the team for the unveiling of the new store following its move from High West Street, where it has traded for six years.

Young Sophie and her family are ambassadors for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT), which is a nominated charity of Vision Express.

Sophie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called retinoblastoma in 2011 aged nearly two, and she subsequently had an eye removed and an artificial one fitted as part of her treatment.

She was joined by her mum Jane and sister Amy for the Vision Express opening and after cutting the ribbon was given a tour of the store’s new facilities before meeting the Dorchester Vision Express team, who have more than fifty years’ of optical experience between them.

Store manager Sian Taylor said: “We’re really grateful to Sophie and her family for taking the time to come and help us unveil our new store. The the team was really pleased to be able to show off our new facilities to the Williams family.”

Last year Vision Express employees and customers raised £160,000 for CHECT.