I have to admit that my eyesight is getting slightly worse the older I get - I am OK seeing things at a distance but am finding it increasingly more difficult to read small print these days. I have found myself in slightly embarrassing situations lately at the bank (not being able to complete a paying-in slip) and misreading a price on an item in the supermarket because I had not felt the need to carry my reading glasses around with me.

Luckily I found a great product in our local Poundstretcher which has solved the problem for me for just £1.99. The store had one of those JML in-store promotion videos playing which showed the benefits of using this pocket-sized Magnicard and I have to say I am delighted with it and use it both at home and when I'm out and about.

The actual gadget is about the same as my store cards and the magnifying part of it is an adequate-sized strip, which, I am informed, gives 2.5 x magnification which is ideal for reading small print etc. It fits neatly amongst my cards in my purse or I pop it into my jeans pocket because it weighs virtually nothing.

It also has a small but powerful LED light which is useful especially as the nights are drawing in and I am faced with the inevitable fumbling around to fit my door keys into the lock. All you need to do is just press the button and the light comes on which is a real bonus and something I had not expected.

So far I have used this for reading Yellow Pages and the phone book(yes, I know, I must be one of the few people who still do this!) reading maps (I do not always have access to the satnav) threading needles, checking possible side effects of medication and reading labels on food as well as checking laundry directions and bank statements.

OK I could get out my specs, give them a rub with the cloth and pop them on but hey, this magnifier is so neat and weighs less, I really cannot be bothered - I would much rather reach out for my Magnicard.

I have to give this a full 5 star rating because of the neat but effective design, the convenience and for the cheap price tag and would recommend buying one if you, like me, have trouble reading the small print.