THE eyes have it! Two antique pieces of stained glass from a long-gone Skipton opticians have found their way back into the family who originally owned them by a quirk of fate.

The 100-year-old exhibits once hung outside Ernest Birdsall's opticians on Keighley Road and were rescued by modern-day optician John Exley when the building was being demolished several years ago.

Since then the panes, which bear the optician industry and Freeman of London crests, have been collecting dust in the cellar of John's town centre shop.

But last week John just happened to be in the same Skipton shop as the wife of Mr Birdsall's grandson, James, and overheard her mention his name.

Wendy Birdsall, of Grassington, was surprised to receive a call from John the next day, confirming that he had found the historic pieces and asking if she was connected with their original owner back in the late 19th century.

Wendy said: "James and I were thrilled when we heard of this amazing find. It was quite uncanny the way that John and I just happened to be in the same Newmarket Street shop together.

"Although the surrounding glass is rather worse for wear, the crests are still in very good condition and I think if we can cut them out they will look lovely set in the windows of our study."

James added: "It's great to have this piece of family history back in the fold again.

"The optician's crest has obvious connections with my grandfather and the Freeman of London crest goes back to his time gaining his qualifications at the University of London."

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