A Suffolk artist has scooped the first ever Spectrum Art Prize - an award celebrating the work of artists on the autistic spectrum.

Charlotte Amelia Poe, from Blundeston, was presented her trophy and prize money - £10,000 towards her progression as an artist - at a glittering awards evening at the Saachi Gallery in London.

Her submission, a film titled ‘How to be Autistic’, was selected from seven finalists by a panel of judges that included 2007 Turner Prize winner Mark Wallinger, art curator Sacha Craddock, Spectrum CEO Mary Simpson and Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, a leading expert on understanding autism.

Mr Cohen said: “Charlotte shows us both the desperate and bleak angle to autism, as well as the beautiful side.

“The video is extremely personal and approachable, not only from the autism viewpoint, by one ‘we’ as all human beings can relate to.”

Charlotte’s film can be viewed at www.thespectrumartprize.co.uk