A MAGAZINE about autism edited by a Dorset woman has hit the shelves.

Polly Tommey and her husband Jon set up The Autism File after their son Billy, 11, was born with a severe version of the illness.

Mrs Tommey, who moved from Charlton Marshall near Blandford to London before having Billy, is overjoyed at the new distribution deal.

She said: "It's going to help reach out to families who don't even know they can get help."

Mrs Tommey, 41, said it took some convincing to get the publication on the store's shelves but is confident it will succeed there.

She said: "WH Smith initially said it wasn't interested but I explained that one in 100 children is on the autistic spectrum and that persuaded them to give us a go for a couple of weeks."

She added that the publication proved popular and sold 2,000 copies in one week on the shelves.

Mrs Tommey moved to London aged 19 to go to drama school, which she attended for three years before meeting and marrying then fitness instructor Jon.

After two years the couple had a daughter before Polly gave birth to Billy 11 months later.

He was diagnosed with severe autism aged three.

The family appeared on ITV's Tonight With Trevor McDonald show to ask for help and to try new treatments for the condition from America.