A centre which provides one-on-one care for adults with autism is planning to expand.

Dick O'Donovan, the manager of the Hollyrood autism centre in Lindfield, wants to convert a former social services block in Haywards Heath into a college providing further education for 20 students a year.

The centre would cater for people who are unable to go to a higher education college, focusing on allowing them to complete their education and train for employment.

Mr O'Donovan has run Hollyrood since it opened three-and-a-half years ago.

He said: "A lot of adults at Hollyrood have not completed their basic education and we would like to change that."

This week Mr O'Donovan will put his plan for the college to managers at The Disabilities Trust, a national charity based in Sussex which owns Hollyrood.

He hopes it will get approval so he can begin renting and converting the property.

The college would use tutors to give classes on subjects such as literacy, numeracy, information technology and cookery.

As well as taking Hollyrood residents, it would be open to other adults with autism.

For more information on Hollyrood, call The Disabilities Trust on 012444 237294.