A YOUNG man who is "autistic and proud" has been chosen as a charity ambassador.

Aston-Martin Avery, 24, from Pitsea will help children and adults battling the condition after being chosen to represent Anna Kennedy Online.

The charity works to make people on the autism spectrum feel included in society, and aims to raise awareness of the challenges they face daily.

Aston, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, said he will take his new role very seriously.

He added: “It is a massive honour to become an ambassador for the charity.

"I will take this honour and responsibility on board very seriously. I had a call from Anna Kennedy and I told her how much of an honour it is and that this means so much to me.

"The new appointment means I can carry on spreading the word about how autistic people can still do and achieve great things.”

Aston is a keen performer and last year secured a scholarship at London's Pineapple Dance Studios, where pop stars One Direction and Madonna have taken classes.

He has also overcome an eating disorder, which led him to eat his clothes and toys, as well as bowel disorder.

Proud mum Dawn Avery, 48, said Aston-Martin is determined to raise as much money as possible for Anna Kennedy Online, which relies on sponsorship or donations,

She said: “He is doing really well.

"His new role is very exciting and means he will be helping the charity with their work supporting autistic people. He will also be fundraising for the charity.

"He now says that he is autistic and proud, which is great. He has been working on focusing on the positives of having autism and he wants to show others the best way to do.

"He held a fundraising event last September and raised around £2,000 for different autism charities. He now wants to make this an annual event along with his work as a new ambassador for the charity."

The charity, which runs a helpline for parents, was set up by mum-of-two Anna Kennedy, whose two sons were both diagnosed with autism when they were young children.

She struggled to find appropriate support, and was turned away by 26 special needs schools.