A TEENAGER has her eyes on the prize after her nan encouraged her to enter a national spectacle wearer contest.

18-year-old Carys Knapman could pocket £10,000 and jet off to the Bahamas is she bags Specsavers’ coveted Spectacle Wearer of the Year Award.

The Barry student is one of eight regional finalists chosen from hundreds of entries from across Wales and could now go through to the competiton’s star-studded final in London on Tuesday, October 7.

The contest is known as the Oscars of the glasses world and the awards celebrate specs wearers from across the UK and Republic of Ireland, in the 16 to 24; 25 to 39; 40 to 59 and 60 plus age categories.

Girls Aloud singer and West End star Kimberley Walsh launched the awards earlier this year and Miss Knapman could meet at the awards ceremony if she triumphs in her age category.

Carys is one of two finalists for the 16 to 24 age category.

Carys said: ‘I’ve been wearing glasses for about three years and like to wear frames that suit me and that I look good in. My nan saw the competition in the local newspaper and said I should enter because she likes me in my glasses. My advice to anyone who wears glasses would be to just be confident and enjoy wearing them. If you like them it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks – I love mine!’

Jamie Pullen, store director at Barry Specsavers, on Holton Road, said: ‘We would like to wish Carys all the very best for the final round of judging. She wears her Specsavers glasses really well and it’s clear to see how much she enjoys wearing them.

‘It is such a great achievement to have reached the final eight from across Wales and the whole Barry team has their fingers crossed for her to reach the grand final!’