A charity is celebrating Christmas with an autism-friendly Santa’s grotto next weekend.

TRACKS Autism is transforming its specialist early years centre in Boulton Road, Stevenage, into a grotto so parents of children with an autistic spectrum disorder can avoid busy shopping centres, loud noises and queues, but still give their child that magical moment of meeting Father Christmas.

Slots between noon and 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, December 15 and 16, must be booked in advance, to avoid queues.

It is £5 per child on the door, which includes a festive gift from Santa, with proceeds going to TRACKS Autism.

The event is sponsored by Driver Require and Certs Assured Limited.

To book your place, email hannah.isted@tracks-autism.org.uk and include your name, number of children for a visit, the day you would like and the approximate time. You will receive a reply to confirm your space.