AN AUTISTIC boy whose beloved washing machine was stolen is no longer in a spin!

That’s because Alex Turner, 11, of Crosland Moor, has a new favourite ‘toy’ – another broken washing machine.

Alex was distraught when his favourite Hotpoint washing machine was stolen from his grandma’s garden last month.

But now he has a replacement thanks to a Mrs Jagger, from Marsh, who donated her old Hotpoint washer, and scrap dealer David Berry who delivered the machine for free to Alex’s house the day after his birthday.

And another old machine is winging its way to Alex’s garden.

Alex, who has Asperger Syndrome, is fascinated by washing machines, tumble driers and dishwashers.

The Moldgreen Primary School pupil has been entranced by kitchen white goods since he was six.

He can spend hours at a time investigating the machines and changing the programmes and settings.

Alex’s ideal day out is a trip to the launderette to watch the washing machines and tumble driers.

He hopes to have his own launderette when he grows up.

Alex’s grandma Mavis Turner, 77, said: “Alex was thrilled with his new toy. He’s already had a screwdriver to it.

“He keeps nipping out when it’s not raining. He just disappears into the garden and plays with it.

“It’s the same make, which is good because he likes Hotpoint. It’s his new favourite toy and he can’t wait until the next one comes. He’d have a whole garden full of them if he could!”

Asperger Syndrome is a form of autism. Like other types of autism it is a lifelong condition.

People with autism find it more difficult to read people’s emotions and communicate than people without the condition.

People with Asperger Syndrome can develop an intense, sometimes obsessive, interest in specific things. From this they can develop an exceptional knowledge in their field.