Prestatyn film makers have lent their talents to raise awareness for parents of children with autism.

The finishing touches are being put on a short documentary by production company Canned Media, who spent four weeks at the Prestatyn Popin Centre to shed light on the lives of parents living with autism.

Lee Howard, Director of Canned Media, said: “This isn’t an illness - it’s their family, it’s their life. We want to show what it’s like every minute of every day living with a child with autism.”

Mr Howard was inspired to make the film after meeting with one of the Popin Centre’s founders, Veronica Wells, at the Wicked Wales film festival last autumn where he was presenting a short anti-bullying film.

Mrs Wells said: “We’re just a small charity who relies on grants, we can’t charge people for our services and other services are reffering more and more people to us. It's amazing Lee has taken the time to show the work we do and the struggle of parents living with children who have autism and additional requirements."

“So many people might see a parent in a supermarket trying to calm a child with autism who is having a melt down and they just tut and move on. We need to educate people to realise that they can offer help rather than just “tutting”.

”You could ask if you can help in anyway, as if they’re ok and even just stand nearby and offer assurances.”

The film was made during meetings held at the centre held every Wednesday at 1pm, where parents would get together and seek support from each other.

Mr Howard said: “It’s surprising how much of impact just sitting around having a chat and having some tea and biscuits can make for these parents.

“I didn’t want to construct any part of the film, we just hit record - my job was just to go there and show what it’s like for the parents.

“Hopefully, people who watch this might think twice of just shrugging their shoulders if they see a parent with a child having a meltdown.”

Everyone included in the film was given editorial control of the final product, and Mr Howard has refrained from naming the himself.

Mr Howard added: "One suggestion we have had for the film from one woman was “The Girl on Top of the Wardrobe”, because her daughter refused to sleep in her bed, she preferred climbing on top of the wardrobe.”

The film is in the final stages of editing, and is expected to be released as DVD in February.