FOR most young schoolchildren, the non-stop round of birthday party invitations must seem never-ending.

But eight-year-old Lucy Chowles, from Clacton, hasn't been invited to a party for three years.

She has autism, which mum Sonia admits makes her "different".

But now Sonia is organising a special Alice in Wonderland-style 'Unbirthday Party' for Lucy and scores of other youngsters who are left out because they have different needs or are even just shy.

"Lucy is a unique little girl and she is beautiful," she said.

"But she does have a label - she has ASD. She is different. In her own words she is weird.

"In reception class and year one she was going to parties but all of a sudden it just stopped. I wondered what was going on.

"She started coming home saying someone was having a party but she wasn't invited.

"Now Lucy is eight and since she was in year one she has never had a birthday invitation. In four years she has only been invited to three parties.

"She gets so upset."

Lucy was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder at the start of the year.

Sonia says her daughter is just one of an ever growing group of children that don't get invited to birthday parties at school.

The snubs can be heartbreaking.

Sonia said: "She comes home from school and asks 'Am I really that different that no one wants me to go to their birthday party?'

"The heartache every parent of these children feels is real.

"You ask yourself is there anything else I can do to help her fit in.

"So rather then blame other parents and children, I have decided to hold an event for all children like Lucy.

"I thought we'd organise a ginormous Unbirthday Party where they can all come along.

"Whether they are different, shy, weird, or have additional needs - all are welcome."

Sonia is expected up to 200 children at the party at FC Clacton's ground on July 29 from 2pm.

"I know there are a lot of people out there who struggle and we have had a really good response," she said.

"Lucy is looking forward to it because she wants other children to stop feeling the same way she does.

"We are trying to turn something quite sad into something positive for her and other children.

"Hopefully it will instil in her that although she is a bit different she shouldn't be isolated. Just because she is being left out now doesn't mean she will be when she grows up."

Sonia is appealing for businesses and the local community to help prepare for the party.

"We are only two weeks away from the big day and desperately need donations of food and prizes - anything that anyone can help us with would be fantastic," she said.

"And if we make a success of it this year we can make it an annual event."

To help or for more information look up 'Unbirthday Party Clacton' on Facebook.