A father has told of the ‘magical’ moment his autistic son who is usually uncomfortable in crowds was able to enjoy some festive cheer.

Stephen Evans and his five-year-old son Jesse were at the Middlebrook shopping centre in Bolton when they came across a brass band performing Christmas songs.

Usually finding it difficult to be in large groups of people, Jesse became lost in the music and joined in with an impromptu version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, providing the all important sleigh bells.

Members of the Horwich RMI band who were performing for shoppers were so impressed with Jesse that they have invited him to appear alongside them again at their Christmas show.

Stephen filmed the heartwarming moment, and it has since been viewed by thousands of people online.

Jesse, who wears noise cancelling headphones, has difficulties communicating but loves listening to songs and singing along.

His dad Stephen said: “He didn’t realise the brass band were all around him, he just heard the song and was enjoying himself. It was a magical moment really.

“Jesse has problems communicating, he doesn’t really talk but he has a few words which he says. He can still hear voices through his headphones.

“He loves the motorway, it is a sensory experience for him. He was asking to go to a Starbucks at Rivington Services so we took him to the toy shop at the Middlebrook as well.

“When we came out of the shops the band were playing Christmas songs and he loved it.”

Manchester United fan Stephen, from Millom in Cumbria, said he hoped the video would raise the profile of the condition, which the NHS says affects about 700,000 people across the UK.

He said: “It’s great for us to raise awareness of autism.

“I think a lot of parents who have children with autism just want to show they are still just little kids who want to enjoy themselves.”

After meeting Jesse, Horwich RMI said on Facebook: “We met a delightful young man named Jesse today while playing down at Middlebrook.

“He has certainly won the best jingle bell ringer we’ve had so far this year.”