A charity says allowing people with hidden disabilities to have a blue badge will make a huge difference.

Parking permits are currently available for people with physical disabilities – but the government has now extended the scope.

The badges allow holders to park for free in pay-and-display carparks and for up to three hours on yellow lines.

When the changes are introduced they will extend eligibility to people who cannot make a journey without “a risk of serious harm to their health and safety” and for people for whom travel causes “very considerable psychological distress”.

Tim Nicholls, policy manager at the National Autistic Society (NAS) that is based in Angel, said: “The existing rules about the blue badges are too focused around physical disabilities but people with autism really need the blue badge because of the impact it has on their lives.

“The anxiety when making a journey is a big thing for people with autism, knowing they have somewhere to park is a big thing.”

Mr Nicholls said that he knows a mother whose adult son will have a melt-down if there is nowhere for them to park when they leave the house.

He added: “Recently they were going to the supermarket and there was no parking space for them near the supermarket, so they have to turn around and go back.

“Having a blue badge really makes a different to their day-to-day life.”

“The NAS has been calling for this for a long time

“There’s still not the understanding about hidden disabilities so anything that goes towards changing those conceptions is a good thing.

“What we need to see now is for it to go through parliament as soon as possible.”

But the blue badges cannot be used in central London, as residents there need to apply for a special permit – this includes Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, City of London and parts of Camden.