AN Oxford shopping centre has starting having a weekly 'autism hour' for shoppers with special needs.

Templars Square is now holding the session every Thursday from 10am.

During the hour, the shopping centre turns off all music, dims its lights and turns down the volume of entertainments.

Managers have also called on shops in the centre to get involved .

The idea behind the scheme is to encourage people with autism and similar conditions, who struggle with sensory overload, to visit.

According to the Templars Square, an estimated 64 per cent of autistic people avoid going to the shops because of their condition.

Centre manager Owen Acland said: “For an hour, every Thursday, we will be providing a relaxed, stress free, autism-friendly environment for our customers.

“We are proud to be supporting the National Autistic Society with this fantastic initiative. A quiet hour will make such a difference to the shopping experience of some of our customers and their families who want to come here and feel safe and comfortable."

Nationwide the National Autistic Society says more than 7,000 shops have signed up to have an autism hour.