Cash is needed for a group which helps the families of autistic children.

The Sussex Autistic Society is appealing for donations to fund its family support service office in Keymer Road, Hassocks.

The society is a parent-led self-help group for families of children with autism in East and West Sussex.

It is affiliated to the National Autistic Society but stands as an independent charity.

Spokeswoman Jane Foster said it relied on donations to survive, encouraging awareness of autism and problems which people living with the condition have to overcome.

She said: "Autism disrupts the development of social and communication skills, isolating those it affects from the rest of us. Children with autism are unable to relate to others in a meaningful way.

"They need specialist help to cope with the demands of everyday life. Our current appeal is our most urgent yet to fund our new office-based family support unit, which will house our family support co-ordinator, two part-time family support assistants and our office administrator.

"The office will act as meeting place, where families can come for support, information and specialist advice. Services will be open to all who require help and assistance, not just Sussex Autistic Society members."

Call 01273 846846 for more details.