Leisure centres across the South West of England will dim their lights and turn down the music for an hour in October as part of a nationwide campaign to highlight the difficulties that many autistic people experience in public places.

A total of 35 health clubs have already signed up to the campaign, with 19 sports centres managed by leisure trust 1610 in Somerset, Devon and Dorset taking part in the event, which is being organised by the National Autistic Society (NAS), during the first week in October.

Almost two-thirds of autistic people and their families (64 per cent) avoid going out because public places, such as shops and leisure centres, can be too noisy and bright for them to cope with, according to the NAS report Too Much Information, which surveyed more than 7,500 autistic people, their family members and friends, and professionals.

More than three-quarters of autistic people (79 per cent) feel socially isolated because they are overwhelmed by bright lights, crowds and loud background music.

1610 has already trialled and introduced a ‘quiet gym’ at its Trinity Sports and Leisure Centre in Bridgwater, Somerset, for older people who have impaired hearing and people on the autism spectrum - those having a neurodevelopmental disorder.

It is estimated that around 700,000 people are autistic in the UK, which is more than one in 100 people.

“By taking part in the autism hour we hope to highlight this issue to a wider audience and encourage other businesses to take steps to meet the needs of autistic people so that they feel less isolated from the communities in which they live,” said Amanda Godsell, 1610 health development manager.

1610 will hold its autism hour on Wednesday 4 October between midday and 1pm. More than 4,500 businesses have signed up to the public awareness campaign.