Children will don their onsies at a St Albans school to mark World Autism Awareness Day next month inspired by eight-year-old pupil Abi Kavanagh.

Garden Fields School pupils will swap their traditional uniforms to wear onsies and pyjamas for Onsie Wednesday on April 2, to say farewell to Abi, who will joining a new school.

Abi’s mother, Sharon Kavanagh’s, continues to fundraise in aid of the Autistic Society after her daughter was diagnosed with the condition at the age of three.

The mother-of-five said: "It is about raising awareness of autism. It is important for people to understand the reasons why people are different. 

"Until I had Abi, I didn’t have a clue about it and people without knowing, may think she is misbehaving."

Abi will begin at St Luke’s School in Redbourn, which is dedicated to teaching children with learning disabilities, in September.

Sharon said: "Me and the school thought it might be a good idea to organise the fundraiser along with Abi leaving.

"Abi is her happy and smiley self and I am hoping the decision to move her to St Luke’s will be the best for her, so she can make friends on the same level as her."

During the day, pupils will meet a representative from the Autistic Society during an assembly and take part in a design a onsie competition. 

In November 2012, Sharon organised a fundraiser at the school to mark the 50th anniversary of the Autistic Society.