Station managers have stopped an autistic teenager enjoying his favourite hobby of trainspotting.

Aaron Prior, who will be 18 in September, used to enjoy going on the platforms at Brighton Station to be near the trains and to talk to the drivers.

But managers now say it is too dangerous for the teenager, who has severe sight problems along with a mild form of autism, to be by himself on the platforms.

Aaron’s mother, Sheila, said he was used to going out by himself and understood he had to be careful around trains.

She said: “He knows what he has to do and he is used to trains.

“The station is saying he needs to be accompanied by someone but over the past few months he has been learning to be more independent and has been going out and about on his own.

“He is absolutely devastated at not being able to get up close to the trains. It’s all he ever wants to do.

“There are so many teenagers who hang around at stations drinking and causing trouble. I think the managers are getting a false impression of him. He can talk and communicate and if told not to do something then he won’t do it.”

An arrangement had recently been made for Aaron to travel by himself on the train from college in Lewes back to Brighton each day as part of a programme to increase his independence.

Ms Prior, 43, from Woodingdean, Brighton, said: “That starts next week so I do wonder what is going to happen then.”

Ms Prior is now calling on train bosses to reconsider their conditions.

A spokesman for Southern said: “We are very happy to have Aaron visit the station at any time but we have had to insist that he must be accompanied by his carer if he wishes to go beyond the ticket gates and on to the platforms.

“This decision has been made purely in the interest of Aaron's safety.”