AN AUTISM support service in Bolton has won an award for its work.

Bolton Cares has received a highly-commended accolade for its Autism Champions programme to train staff to better understand the condition so they could spread their knowledge.

The Autism Champions also invited autistic people to help design and deliver train sessions.

John Livesey, chief executive officer at Bolton Cares, said: "I am immensely proud of the teams and people who use our services who, together, have revolutionised the support we provide to autistic people in Bolton."

The awards were hosted by Skills for Care, a best practice support charity, in London and Anton Du Beke presented winners with their awards.

Bolton Cares has set up a carers support group that meets on the second Thursday of every month. The group is run by Autism Champions and is open to anyone who is a carer of an autistic person, including children. The group meets at the Thicketford Centre, Thicketford Road between 10am and noon.