LEIGH's Spinning Gate Shopping Centre has launched a scheme in which it will fall silent on Mondays to support autism.

Its centre mall will not be playing music on the first day of the working week, from October 1, and will be encouraging the 40 shops at the site to get involved.

People living with autism can have major problems with noise sensitivity as sounds can be magnified and distorted.

The cleaning and security teams at the centre have also carried out autism awareness training and are recognised "autism friends".

Centre manager Karen Cox said: "We are delighted to continue to support campaign to provide regular music free periods for our shoppers to enjoy and provide people living with autism weekly, music free Mondays encouraging a quieter and relaxing environment."

The centre will remind keep reminding shoppers about the scheme online.