Teachers from around the country faced each other across Radlett netball courts to mark World Autism Awareness Day.

The National Autistic Society’s Radlett Lodge School organised the tournament with six other schools from Watford, Bushey, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead.

Schools taking part were Bushey Academy, Bushey Meads, Collett school, Oakland college, Queens school and Westfield school.

The tournament was organised by Dee Johnson, community cohesion coordinator at NAS Radlett Lodge School. She said: "Autism is more common than most people think, with more than one in 100 people living with the disability. However, awareness is relatively low so we’re thrilled that so many local schools and the players from Watford FC came together to support World Autism Awareness Day.

"It gives everybody the opportunity to understand the condition more and spread the message that it’s okay to be different."

Kirsty Hillcoat, PE teacher at Queen’s School, whose staff won the tournament, said: "It was a fantastic afternoon and enjoyable experience for all. It was nice to get a variety of staff from different schools within the area to come together to raise awareness for World Autism Awareness Day.

"I hope that it is something that we can continue to run every year."

Watford FC defender Essaid Belkalem presented the trophy to the staff of Queen’s School.