STUDENTS at Shipley College have used the social media craze of taking 'selfies' to raise awareness of the condition of autism.

Staff, visitors and students were invited to take a selfie in a photo booth at the college's Centre of Excellence for Business yesterday, while holding up cards with social media hashtags of #beunique, #Expressyourself and #Everyonefitsin.

It was organised as a showcase of students' final project on a BTEC National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production, which asked the students to use social media to create an awareness campaign..

As well as encouraging involvement with the selfie part of the project, students made presentations in the morning to their guests, who include representatives from education, autism organisations, employers, college governors and staff and fellow groups of students.

Project manager Jack Gagg, 19, said: “Adding a hashtag to a selfie or changing a profile picture on any social media account are simple actions that can call attention to an issue, and help raise awareness, which was our brief.”

Debbie Morrisroe, co-ordinator for the course, said: “The project is the culmination of two years of hard work for the students, in preparation for University or employment in this exciting industry. They have been very inspired by this project and put a huge amount of effort and creativity into it. Social media is often criticised, but this just shows how it can be used in a highly positive way, and I am very proud of our students.”

The team has a Facebook page Autism Shipley and can be found on Twitter at @AutismShipley.