An artist who has autism hopes his illustrations in a new book will help improve people's understanding of the disorder.

Simon Fielder, 28, of Wether Riggs Road, Salterbeck, has high functioning autistic spectrum disorder and has been producing art on his tablet for the last two years and drawing and painting for years before that.

Simon regularly exhibits artwork he has drawn by hand on his tablet computer at craft fairs and was approached by children's author Brandy Miller at the Manchester Author Event in August to illustrate her book Am I Bad?.

The book, which is written from the point of view of a child with autism, aims to help people understand what life can be like for someone living with the disorder.

Brandy was so pleased with what the former Southfield School pupil came up with that she has already asked him to work on a sequel.

"I was really excited to do it but there was also apprehension of whether I would be able to deliver her vision," Simon said.

"It was good fun and it's nice to be able to say I'm a published artist now.

"I get a range of reactions from people when I show them my art, from pleasant surprise to people who don't believe I've done it.

"I quite like the story and think it could actually help people."

One of Simon's proudest moments was when received a thank you from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for a picture he drew of him.

Am I Bad? is available via online retailer Amazon or through bookshops using the ISBN 9781999889609.

For more information about Simon's art, visit his Facebook page at Simon D. Fielder - Digital Artist.