A MUM, worried her autistic son was missing out on the fun of Christmas, has arranged a party at one of the sporting world’s best-known venues.

Samantha Doyle, from Chester-le-Street, has organised a Christmas party to be held at St James’ Park in Newcastle on December 21 for families living with autism.

She organised the event after realising her six-year-old son Freddie was missing out on a lot of activities other children take for granted.

She said: “Due to Freddie’s autism, his reactions to things can be extreme and unpredictable and, over the years, I’d gradually stopped taking him to the sort of events most children go to.

“He couldn’t stand in a queue in a department store to meet Santa Claus, for example and even going out to a restaurant for lunch can be difficult."

She added: “Because you can’t see autism, people don’t realise he has the condition; they just think he’s being naughty and badly behaved.

“Then I realised my concerns about what other people might think were stopping Freddie having the sort of fun all children should have, especially at Christmas – and so I decided to organise this special event.”

Children will meet Santa Claus and enjoy a festive three-course lunch with their families and a special mini-tour of the stadium.

Kerrie Highcock, of the North East Autism Society, said: “I think it’s a great idea.

“A lot of families can feel socially isolated and the children do miss out on a lot so I think this is amazing – it’s going to be fantastic.

Tickets cost £18.95 for adults and £10.95 for those aged 12 and under, with two course options also available. For bookings, e-mail candb@nufc.co.uk or call 0191 2018525.