LAKESIDE shopping centre is marking World Autism Awareness Week tomorrow from 10am until 2pm as it celebrates becoming "autism friendly".

The shopping centre has partnered with Treetops School in Grays and Thurrock’s National Autistic Society. During the campaign launch event, Lakeside will also be announcing its charity partner of the year.

For every 100 people in the UK one person has autism, which the centre says can make shopping "a daunting and sometimes stressful occasion".

In a bid to change this, Lakeside has worked with Treetops School and NAS Thurrock to create a visual guide for customers with autism, as well as a detailed guide for their parents or carers, to help with every stage of their visit to the centre.

In addition to this, all intu Lakeside staff members are currently undergoing training to support customers affected by autism and to raise awareness of the condition.

Hana Gunfield, Community Manager at Lakeside, said: “Here at intu Lakeside we are extremely passionate about creating positive experiences for all of our guests.

"With the help of Treetops School and NAS Thurrock, we will be introducing a campaign that is set to change the lives of our guests who are affected by autism and other learning difficulties.

"In the UK 2.8, million families are affected by autism which is why it’s so important that we make this change within the centre.

"I am really excited to announce our charity partner and think the launch will be a great experience for all of our customers especially with the opportunity to wear the virtual reality goggles so that they can get an understanding on what it’s truly like living with autism.”