HUNDREDS of cinemas, including one in Colchester, are hosting autism friendly screenings this month.

A total of 250 cinemas are taking part in partnership with Dimensions, a national not-for-profit support provider for people with learning disabilities and autism.

People living with the conditions can find loud noises and bright lights too much of an assault on their senses.

However, special screenings are being staged to allow the audience to enjoy the films.

The Odeon cinema in Head Street, Colchester, shows autism friendly screenings on a different Sunday each month.

This month it is showing the cartoon version of the Beatrix Potter classic, Peter Rabbit on Sunday March 18 starting at 10.15am.

Adjustments which will be made to the screening include having the lights left on low and the volume turned down.

There will also be no trailers and the audience will be free to move around within the cinema if they choose to.

Nick Barratt, who is the head of behaviour support at Dimensions, said it was important for families to be able to enjoy the activity.

He said: “Autism friendly screenings are so important for both families and individuals who can feel excluded from the traditional cinema experience because they find it too stressful due to sensory overload.

“The screenings enable them to watch a wider variety of films, more frequently, in an environment conducive to their needs.

“We have seen how successful such initiatives can be.

“So far we’ve had more than 300,000 visits to local cinemas for an autism friendly screening.

“We are excited about the prospect of building upon that further.”

For more information and booking details, visit www.dimensions-uk.org/autismfilms.