A restaurant owner has slammed customers who asked not to be served by an autistic staff member.

Mike Jennings, who runs Grenache, in Walkden , said he was ‘astonished’ when a table of customers shunned waiter Andy Foster, who suffers from autism.

Andy, 45, joined the restaurant three weeks ago and juggles his job with his role as a registered carer for his mother, who suffers from Alzheimers.

Mike said: “The customers seemed to have a problem with him, even though his service was good.

“I explained that he suffered from autism and their response was that they didn’t want to be served by him.

"They asked me why I would give him a job in a restaurant like ours. I couldn’t believe it.”

Mike was so shocked by the incident that he took to the restaurant’s Facebook account to ask anyone with a similar attitude NOT to book a table there.

The post has been liked and shared by hundreds of people who support the restaurant’s decision to back Andy.

Mike and his partner Karen said they were so upset about the customer’s behaviour that they felt they ‘had to make a stand’.

Mike said: “The incident really knocked his confidence and we had to take him to one side and let him know that we certainly didn’t feel that way.

“All we care about is someone having enthusiasm and passion. The rest we can teach.”

Andy - who was diagnosed with autism seven years ago - said he has experienced discrimination because of his condition many times before.

He said: “I always feel that it’s automatically my fault and I go into defence mode. I always think I have to apologise.

“When I apologised to the customer she made such a fuss.

“The other table I was serving left a big tip so I knew it wasn’t me.

“I try not to take it personally because it has happened so many times in the past I have just got used to it.”

Pictures: The relaunch of Grenache

Andy said he was delighted when Mike and Karen took a stand to support him.

He said: “Mike and Kaz have been so supportive saying it’s not my fault.

“The customers said they didn’t know I was autistic but I shouldn’t have to walk around with a t-shirt on explaining it. I should be treated fairly and exactly the same as everyone else in the restaurant.”