A MOTHER turned herself blue to raise awareness of autism.

Kelly Etherington dressed in blue from head to toe, painted her face and fingernails and dyed her hair to mark World Autism Day, which was Wednesday (April 2).

Her son Leighland, five, was diagnosed with autism last September.

Ms Etherington, from Bowburn, said: “Awareness day is so important to educate people about autism, which is a misunderstood and lifelong condition.

“I’ve always liked to be different and stand out from the crowd so what better way to make people aware of autism than make myself blue for a day?”