AN EX-MINER is looking forward to watching the snooker and reading the Chronicle after an operation restored his sight, 57 years after he lost it in a pit accident.

Eric Harrison, 85, lost the sight in his right eye when a piece of stone pierced his pupil in a roof collapse at Wharncliffe Woodmoor Colliery in 1952.

The sight in his other eye also deteriorated over the years to the extent that he had to 'feel' his way around his own house.

Eric was told the damage in his right eye was permanent and was never offered any treatment until he had an operation to remove a cataract from his other eye earlier this year.

Eric had two operations and went to pick up his first pair of glasses from the opticians on Friday. Now the retired deputy is looking forward to watching snooker as well as reading books and newspapers again.

"I think it's a miracle. It has completely changed my life. I loved reading but haven't been able to read anything. I used to get Brenda to read the Chronicle to me but now I can read it myself."