A MARRIED couple who both suffer autism have launched a month-long campaign to raise awareness of the condition.

Frances-Mary and Colin Pratt are trying to remove the stigma surrounding autism in the workplace, by encouraging local businesses to take on someone with the condition for a volunteer placement or trainee position.

They have launched a fundraising campaign for April, which is National Autism Awareness Month, to try to secure support from local companies and individuals.

Mrs Pratt, 41, suffers from a mild form of Aspergers and cannot work, while Mr Pratt suffers from Social Communications Disorder.

Dedicated charity worker Mrs Pratt, who lives in Carterton with her husband, 46, said: "Some of the big companies like Tesco and Sainsbury's do recognise autistic people in terms of employment but some smaller businesses and companies really don't have time for that sort of thing so we want to raise more awareness of it.

"Some businesses have put out collection boxes for us or have donated raffle prizes.

"Some people are hosting coffee mornings or bag packing or hosting afternoon tea but we still want to do more."

Autism is a mental condition, often present from early childhood.

Those who have the condition offer have great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people.

Asperger's syndrome and Social Communications Disorder both lie on the autistic spectrum.

Mrs Pratt admitted she has not had a paid job since 1998 due to her Aspergers, as companies were not able to accommodate her. She instead volunteers for charity.

Her husband owns his own business and often works from home.

After a few weeks of fundraising events across West Oxfordshire, the awareness month will culminate with a gala dinner at the Four Pillars Hotel in Witney.

The dinner, organised by the Pratts, will be held in aid of the National Autistic Society and Autistica UK on April 30.

Mrs Pratt said: "We'd love to push the idea of the dinner as we have to sell at least 50 tickets for it to go ahead."

Tickets cost £30 and anyone interested in attending is urged to visit fmsings.co.uk/galadinner.html and book a ticket as soon as possible.

Visit fmsings.co.uk/autismawareness.html for more information about the campaign.