The new legislation would force authorities to survey the number of adults diagnosed with the condition after it emerged there were no clear statistics showing how many people were on the autistic spectrum.

Julia Hardcastle, the manager of Autism Concern in Northamptonshire, said: "We have long campaigned for the rights of people with autism and their families to receive better, more effective support to enable them to live happy and fulfilled lives. The bill will place a very clear responsibility on the part of the authorities."

Autism Concern currently provides care for autistic children as well as training for adults. Last year the charity revealed it needed £150,000 to continue after donations dropped at the beginning of the recession.

n Former Saints player Jon Sleightholme and friends will cycle to Northampton's two twin towns, Poitiers in France and Marburg in Germany, to raise money for the group this summer.