An application to set up a free school for children with autism has been submitted to the Department for Education.

If agreed it will open in September 2015.

It will be aimed at youngsters aged seven to 19.

There is currently only one place which serves children from the borough, Laleham Gap School which is based on two sites in Broadstairs and Margate and it can take students up to an hour to get there.

Donna Smith-Emes, 42, whose son Daniel, 13, is autistic, and her friend Sarah Aldridge, 41, whose eight-year-old daughter Amber has high-functioning autism, came up with the idea to create a facility closer to home three years ago.

To help them realise their dreams, they set up the parent-led group Friends of Aspire plus a school team which consists of experts, senior leadership educationalists, school recruitment advisors and occupational and speech and language therapists.

Mrs Smith-Emes, of Park Road, Sittingbourne, said: “The Aspire team will hear from the Department for Education (DfE) late summer.

“We have got four potential sites for the school, two of which are fairly close to Sittingbourne, but I can’t say where exactly. The ultimate choice is down to the DfE.

“We are delighted to have received a high volume of support from parents and the wider community, , as well as organisations throughout Kent.

“Aspire Free School will be a place where the children feel safe, understood and valued.”

The two women also run a free support group for parents and carers of children who have autism or ADHD.

Members meet at The Vineyard, West Street, Sittingbourne, every third Wednesday of the month between 10am and noon and at The Orchards, Attlee Way, Milton Regis, every first Friday of the month from 1pm - 3pm.