A NORTH-EAST commercial law firm has helped a charity build a new £9m training centre for autistic children and their families.

Muckle LLP worked with the North-East Autism Society (NEAS) to create the centre on the former Aycliffe Young People's Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

The facility includes a purpose-built school with a sports hall and swimming pool, which is already open, and will provide educational services for children of all ages, including vocational courses, after-school clubs and leisure and activity days.

It will be officially opened on World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

John Phillipson, NEAS chief executive, said: “The team at Muckle liaised with different parties and prepared the construction contracts so we could begin the groundwork and we are looking forward to providing increased support to families across the region.”

Adrian Hicks, associate solicitor at Muckle's real estate group, said: “The North East Autism Society asked us to acquire the site from Durham County Council and it was a pleasure working on this project which will make the charity's vital services available to so many more families.”