A VISIT to Specsavers saved the life of a pensioner who didn't realise she was suffering from a stroke.

Gran Alice McCaughey today praised the quick-thinking opticians who raised the alarm when they realised she was showing symptoms of the life-threatening condition.

They noticed her speech had become badly slurred and difficulties with her mobility and called for help.

The 80-year-old, the driving force behind the Belville Community Garden project, is fiercely independent, despite suffering horrific injuries in a freak accident four years ago.

Alice, who lives in Inverkip Road, said: "I was going for a check up and on the way in the driver said my speech was a little odd.

"I went into the opticians and they immediately recognised it was badly slurred, even though at the time I had no idea anything was going on. I was completely unaware in fact.

"The optician told me she didn't want to alarm me but said that was the second time she had noticed that with me while I was in the store.

"She said that she was sending me to the hospital to be checked over and it turned out I was having a stroke.

"I can't thank them enough for their speed of thinking. They possibly saved my life."

A race against time followed as Alice was taken to hospital in a taxi, accompanied by Shopmobility staff.

Alice added: "I was in A&E then I was moved to the stroke ward. I can honestly say it was a privilege to be there to see for myself the amazing work the team there do.

"I just think it is important to say how great the hospital staff at Inverclyde Royal Hospital were when areas of our local services seem to keep being moved to Glasgow."

Alice was diagnosed with a TIA, which can lead to major stroke if it goes untreated.

Now out of hospital and on the road to recovery the brave pensioner wants to raise the importance of going for regular eye screenings and taking heed of warning signs about your health.

The intervention wasn't the first time that staff at the Oak Mall opticians have stepped in to help Alice.

A few years ago she went for a routine check up and they alerted her to a serious eye condition.

Alice was diagnosed with macular degeneration and has been undergoing a course of treatment since that sees her receive regular injections to save her sight.

She said: "They noticed I had a blood clot in my eye and sent me to hospital. I have had eye jabs since."

She said: "I might not have realised what was happening without staff's intervention."

Alice, who was an activist in Belville Street before setting up the community garden, was forced to move a few years ago after she fractured two vertebrae in her back after an accident at home.

The proud resident led the community association for ten years and was reluctant to flit, but needed a house with easier access during her recovery.

She added: "The fall I had at home changed everything. I was unable to get about and if it wasn't for help from an occupational therapist I would have sunk into a depression. But I am managing fine.

"Both Shopmobility and Dial-a-Bus are my lifelines."