A chain of opticians is opening three stores and creating up to 40 jobs in Sussex.

Specsavers will open the branches as part of a major expansion across Britain.

Company founder and chairman Doug Perkins said he wanted to go head-to-head with supermarkets on price and choice.

He said: "We know what customers are looking for and can deliver on every level."

Specsavers is the UK's largest optical retailer with sales last year of £430 million.

It already has 432 stores throughout the UK employing 9,000 people.

Mr Perkins said: "In a climate of increased competition, we are still maintaining our lead with more than twice the market share of our nearest competitors."