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A schoolboy with autism got his dream Asda job after staff found an adorable way to help him cope with difficult shopping trips.

Dylan Russell, seven, from Belle Vale was diagnosed with autism last year.

The weekly food shop has become an ordeal for him and his mum Michelle Finegan because Dylan has to stick to a clear routine or he can become incredibly distressed and agitated.

Staff at Asda in Huyton spotted Dylan clearing away the baskets to stop himself getting anxious and struck up a special relationship with the Childwall Primary School pupil.

Mum-of-three Michelle, 38, told the ECHO: “He loves coming shopping but he hates it at the same time.

“It started in a different Asda - he loved pushing the trolley, loading food in and going to the toy aisle but he hates it at check out because he knows he has nothing to do and he starts getting agitated.”

Michelle used to make trips to the supermarket in the early hours of the morning to make life easier.

To keep himself distracted and calm at the checkouts Dylan started stacking the empty baskets near the till.

Asda employee Gareth Hughes spotted Dylan helping out and encouraged him to undertake other tasks in the store.

Michelle said: “He made a song and dance of him, then he gave him the hand to show people the till was available.

“The week after that he had a go on the checkout.”

Gareth even got Dylan his own name badge, which he loved so much he took it on holiday with him to Wales.

Michelle told the ECHO: “We went into Asda in Rhyl and he was telling them he worked for Asda.“

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When the family arrived home from their holiday they received a call asking him to come into the Huyton store where a special day had been arranged for Dylan to work alongside Gareth and the other employees.

On Wednesday (July 19) Dylan got a VIP store tour where he made his very own pizza, saw where the deliveries arrived and even had a quick peak in the freezer.

Michelle said she “sobbed her heart out” on Dylan’s VIP day and loves seeing the special bond between her son and Gareth, as it “takes a lot” for her son to get used to people.

Now Dyan looks forward to shopping trips, thanks to the kindness and consideration shown to him and his mum by the staff at Asda in Huyton.