An independent Swadlincote optician is urging patients to get in touch if they have to cancel their appointment.

Personal-Eyez, in Rink Drive, says no-shows are not only preventing other people from getting earlier appointments, but also hitting the business financially.

The opticians took to Facebook to get the message across: "We have had 1.5 hours of wasted clinic time this week due to people not attending their appointments.

"Our appointment times are extended to ensure we can clean down between each PX [examination] and this means seeing less people per day so we can keep everyone safe.

"All of our overheads are all the same as before, so paying wages for empty appointments when we could have had a patient booked in is just stupid.

"To the 99% of our amazing patients who turn up, let us know if they can't make it or rearrange before hand...thank you!!! We SOOO appreciate it."