An independent opticians has celebrated 50 years of serving the Hythe community.

Dawkins and Lodge Opticians on The Marsh has been providing expertise and care to its patients since 1974.

To mark its anniversary, the practice held an event on Tuesday, November 5, inviting patients into the practice to join staff in their celebrations.

Attendees enjoyed refreshments and cupcakes, with exclusive discounts available on the day.

A raffle was also held, offering a range of prizes including designer sunglasses, tote bags, gift sets and branded mugs.

Patients were also able to book a free hearing consultation with their experienced audiologist.

One of the original founders of the practice, Mr Dawkins, also joined the celebration, sharing stories from the early days of the practice.

Lynda Wells, practice manager at Dawkins and Lodge Opticians, said: "Being part of an independent company that has served the Hythe community for this long is truly amazing and the whole team love to work here.

"It’s also a really great opportunity for the team to celebrate this achievement and all of the hard work that they have been putting in over the past few years."

Over its 50-year history, Dawkins and Lodge Opticians has established itself as a trusted practice, forming strong relationships with its clients and the wider community.

In the past year alone, the team has introduced several new optometry services, including post-operative treatment following cataract surgery.

It has also welcomed new faces to its long-standing team, including resident optometrist Marvin Zuva.

The practice has recently introduced digital measuring, allowing the team to offer the most bespoke lenses on the market.

It also stocks a wide range of frame brands to suit all budgets and styles.

Ms Wells added: "As a practice that has cultivated decades of experience, I’m really proud of how much we have progressed in terms of technology and frames whilst still maintaining our core values as a practice.

"We always try to make our patients feel like part of the family.

"We take the time to understand their individual needs and preferences, providing a truly personalised service with the same friendly faces on each visit."