BRENDA Clarke obviously hasn't had the same good encounters with the NHS I and my family have had this year.

She says after her experience, she's going straight to Wigan next time.

Brenda, of Wigan Road, Leigh, was returning to her car at Doctor's Nook and was blinded when some grit blew into her eye, which started pricking and watering as a result.

Accompanied by her mother, she decided to go to the hospital, and having booked in, was told that there were 10 people ahead of her and that she would have to wait two to three hours.

Not prepared to suffer so long, as eyes are very precious, she cancelled and popped into Conlons in the Spinning Gate -- and tells me they were wonderful.

An optician removed the grit and told her her eye was scratched, but if it wasn't better in a couple of days, to go back and he would give her a letter for Wigan Infirmary.

Thankfully, all was well and she didn't need it.

Well done to Conlons for coming to the rescue.