A mother is appealing for help to try to find a special toy for her autistic son.

Angela Porter, of Folkestone, is desperate to get a replacement spinning top for her son Shane or to get his broken one mended.

The 11-year-old is extremely attached to the toy and his autism means just any old spinning top will not do, he wants another one which is exactly the same.

He has had the toy for about six years and it was made by Lanard Toys Limited in 1998. It was bought in Woolworths, for about £5.

His mum has contacted the manufacturers to see if they can send her another one but hasn’t had any luck, has scoured the shops and the internet, to no avail and has asked local watch repairers and factories if they can fix the toy – but has got nowhere.

She said: “Someone, somewhere, must have one which they no longer want. Autistic children love spinning toys.

“The spinning top is his favourite toy, but I can’t just go and buy any old spinning top to replace the broken one, it has to be this particular one.”

If you can help, please contact Jane Barlow at the Kentish Express newsdesk on 01303 851362.