13 families from across West Berkshire have attended the first youth club for children with autism.

The club was set up at the Mary Hare School in Newbury - after organisers realised there are no clubs suitable for certain youngsters in the West Berkshire area.

Pupils from the school at Arlington Manor help as volunteers at the club.

The original youth club was set up in October 2001 by Kirilynn Gardner it was first a very basic place in the basement of Mansell House at Mary Hare for deaf children and young people. Kirilynn says: "it was very dark but never miserable! We hosted lots of events and had many years of fun serving sweets from the tuck shop hatch and the occasional hot dog!

Then in 2007 after the help from the pta, parents and ex pupils who helped raise funds to turn it into what you see today a fantastic American Diner. It is fully equipped with a diner kitchen, bar, chill room and a restaurant area with fixed seating to form a perfect diner look."

The Youth Club is ever changing and was redecorated in 2010 with the original youth club run by the students at the school, all the profit made through the sales of food and through tickets to events goes straight back into the account for the students wages, more events and prizes for members.