A bustling shopping centre has turned down the volume to make it a more comfortable place for people with autism as part of a new scheme launched today.

Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells has brought in quiet shopping mornings to make going to the shops less intense for a few hours each week to help those with the condition.

This event, which is in support of the National Autistic Society (NAS), includes the switching off of music and tannoys, dimmed lighting, de-cluttered shop floors, less shelf stacking, and extra assistance for customers.

While the event will be taking place each Tuesday from 9am to 11am, it was put on for the first time today as part of NAS' Autism Hour week running until Friday, joining many other retailers.

Autism is a life-long disability which affects how people communicate with others and interact with the world around them.

There are approximately 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK with 64% of them avoiding shopping because it is too overwhelming.

TV Presenter and NAS ambassador Chris Packham, who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome as an adult in 2005, said: "I rarely go into supermarkets. I find that environment really challenging.

"That’s why I’m very keen to support Autism Hour, those shops which offer an hour where they make the whole atmosphere a lot more relaxing for autistic people."

Nicky Blanchard, centre manager of Royal Victoria Place, said: "RVP is delighted to implement quiet shopping mornings and help support the valuable work of the National Autistic Society.

"Most of us take being able to go shopping in either a supermarket or shopping centre very much for granted and do not realise how difficult it is for those with autism. We hope that by making some simple changes every Tuesday morning we’ll help make shopping more comfortable for everyone."

It comes after Morrisons announced in July it was introducing a "quieter hour" on Saturdays for shoppers with autism.