A CAMPAIGN to make Darlington the UK’s most autism-friendly town was launched yesterday.

Businesses are on board with the bid, which includes awareness training for staff, changes to public-facing workplaces and autism-awareness events.

It is also hoped that longer-term the campaign will fuel more employment chances for adults on the autism spectrum. And there are also plans to have autism ‘champions’ in schools.

The town has launched a pioneering partnership with the North East Autism Society (NEAS) to make life easier for people with autism and other neurodiverse conditions.

The campaign was launched at Darlington’s Crown Street Library yesterday with Jonathan Raiseborough, a children’s book illustrator who has Asperger’s syndrome, dressing up as the character Snowdrop the Spikeshuffler, to tie in with the town’s inaugural ‘BookFest’ literary festival.

The Snowdrop book, written by former editor of The Northern Echo Peter Barron, is about a little white hedgehog who overcomes bullying in then world.

Jonathan is also an ambassador for the NEAS and his ambitions to be a children’s book illustrator will be featured on ITV’s ‘This Time Next Year’ television programme, presented by Davina McCall, on Tuesday.

Darlington Borough Council has made a commitment to roll of autism awareness training to all frontline staff.

A host of businesses and organisations have also pledged their support for the Darlington initiative by agreeing to staff awareness training or taking part in autism-friendly events and the Cornmill Centre hosts a successful ‘Quiet Hour’ once a week.

Organisations taking part include: Charles Clunkard, Darlington Borough Council, Darlington Cares, Queen Street shopping centre, Rockliffe Hall, Darlington Building Society, the Dolphin Centre, Boots, House of Fraser, Mercure Darlington Kings Head Hotel, Wilkinsons, Boyes, Guru Boutique, The Keys, Laura Ashley, Vue Cinema, Mangobean, Origins Home and Origins Coffee Bar, Geoff Gillow, Create and Paint, Designer Dog Company, Hatch luncheonette.

A working group has been established in Darlington to drive the campaign forward and is chaired by Councillor Andrew Scott, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet member for health.