Autistic Luke Dicker has visited the Houses of Parliament for the launch of the Lloyds TSB disability programme as a pioneer for his condition.

Mr Dicker, 20, of Hullavington, was chosen to attend the launch following his work with Lloyds TSB since November last year.

His mother, Jan Greenman, said: “It was a really proud day for me. When we got into the room Martin Dood, the customer services director for Lloyds, said that Luke gave him a lightbulb moment that inspired the launch of the programme.

“It was one of those moments that you don’t expect – but it was very humbling and overwhelming.”

Mr Dicker has helped the bank look at ways to set up banking services for disabled customers, after he wrote to the company about his own difficulties as a customer.

Despite being expelled from Malmesbury School in Year 10, Mr Dicker, who also suffers from ADHD, has become a spokesman for his disability and supported the charity Ambitious About Autism.

Ms Greenman said: “You can change things for people; Luke is now proud he’s autistic.

“We did a talk for Axcis in Bristol last week and the comments we got back were amazing; we had feedback saying they were inspired.

“We have an idea to launch an autism award for companies. “We get feedback about employees, some incredibly helpful and some not. For example we’ve heard great things about Specsavers in Chippenham. It would be great to launch an award.”

Lloyds’ Customer Disability Programme was launched on October 15, and promises to provide innovative technology to make banking easier.

This will include services such as the launch of sign language and text services for deaf customers; the roll-out of talking cash machines and the introduction of a specialist colleague helpline to provide expert support for staff who deal with customers.

Martin Dodd, of Lloyds TSB, said: “I recognise the challenges facing our customers are wide-ranging and there is a lot more we can do to support them.

“Through our Customer Disability Programme we will continue to actively engage with our customers to understand their needs and look at how we can support them.”