THE founder of a Somerset group which supports people with autism says receiving a prestigious award will help him to promote its important work.

Campbell Main, founder of Autism Somerset, has been awarded the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Chairman's Award for 2013.

The Trust chairman, Stephen Ladyman, said in the award citation: “Autistic people and their carers struggle to identify and access resources and assistance.

“They often have to engage with numerous agencies and individuals and sometimes information and easy to understand 'signposts' seem to be in short supply.

“Autism Somerset provides through its website and its work an important resource that quickly and easily can point people in the right direction.

“Without the leadership of Campbell that resource would not exist.

“Furthermore, Campbell is also a tireless campaigner for services for autistic people in the county and strives to ensure their needs are recognised not only by Somerset Partnership but by other local agencies and providers.”

Campbell said Jane MacPherson, Autism Somerset's webmaster, had also played a vital role in helping to provide a network of support for people with autism.

He said: “I was very surprised to receive this award but I see it as a way to promote the case for better understanding of this condition.

“The most pleasing thing about it, is that in his citation, the chairman picked up exactly what I had been trying to achieve for ten years.”