THE FRIENDS of Melksham's Queensway Centre for autistic children will be holding an auction of promises to raise funds for children's activities.

They are appealing for promises to be pledged for the event, to be held next month.

West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison has already pledged a tour of the House of Commons.

Mountain bikes, a week's holiday in Cornwall, a chocolate cake and three hours of ironing are among the other promises that will be auctioned on the evening.

Patricia Chester's 11-year-old son George has attended the school for the past 18 months, after he was diagnosed with the Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism.

She said: "Going there has helped him enormously. At his last school he kept being excluded because he kept being naughty. We used to call him Mr Grumpy. But since he has been going to the Queensway he has been coming home happy every day."

The centre, a specialist centre for autistic children, based at St Michael's School, celebrated its 10th anniversary last June.

There are about six pupils in each class, with close supervision from teachers and assistants.

The money raised will go towards activities such as horse riding for the children. Anyone who wants to get involved can call Mrs Chester on (01225) 350822.

The event will be held at Seend Social Club on March 19 from 7.30pm.