Hundreds of people attended a rock concert on Sunday in a bid to raise �3.5m to build a residential centre for young people with autism in north Wales.

The event by US rock band Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan at Rhyl's new Pavilion Theatre was in aid of the Brondyffryn Trust Space appeal.

Joe D'Urso is raising money for autistic youngsters

A raffle of rock memorabilia also took place with prizes including a Bruce Springsteen tour jacket.

Joe D'Urso offered to headline the event because the appeal will help the four-year-old son of his friend Simon Humphreys.

Mr Humphreys, from Old Colwyn, whose son Joshua has autism, organised the concert.

He said it was a great success: "A few hundred people turned up and it was a good launch of the appeal.

Parental support

"We have no idea how much money has been raised yet," he said.

Mr Humphreys said that Joshua had "come out of his shell for the first time" while listening to Mr D'Urso play his guitar one day.

"It was amazing - for 10 minutes he was enchanted with the guitar and ended up strumming while Joe played.

"It was the first light at the end of the tunnel," he added.

Earlier this week, the drive was boosted by a �1m package from a high street bank.

Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn will move to new premises

The Brondyffryn Trust needs �1.3m for the residential unit - the other �2.2m is needed to build a 16 plus college and parent support centre at Denbigh.

Joe D'Urso's band took a break from a tour of the UK and America to stage Sunday night's event.

Mr D'Urso used to work as a talent agent in New York, arranging contracts for artists, including Bruce Springsteen.

Signed items by "The Boss", Dire Straits and Harley Davidson and Formula One racing teams were also raffled.

The Special Place for Autistic Care and Education appeal (Space) was officially launched last Wednesday.

The residential centre will take 24 boarders on a weekly basis and a further 12 on a more permanent basis.

On Wednesday, fundraisers welcomed the announcement that Barclays would be providing a �1m finance package.