AN initiative that has seen the UK's first register of children with autism celebrates three years of progress today.

A one-day conference is being held in Newcastle to mark the achievements of the project, known as Database of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder living in the North-East, which was launched in October 2003.

The project was led by Dr Helen McConachie, a senior lecturer in clinical psychology at Newcastle University.

In some local authority areas, the confidential database contains up to 70 per cent of all local children with autism, including where they live and whether they go to a mainstream school.

It is hoped that this will help to improve services for children with autism and their families.

Today's event will consider what has been achieved and look at how the project can be expanded.

The scheme covers six local authority areas on Tyneside, Wearside and Northumberland. Dr McConachie said the team aimed to eventually extend the database to County Durham and Teesside