Blue badge parking permits could soon be given out to people with "hidden disabilities."

Under new Department for Transport (DfT) plans, it is hoped that people with conditions such as dementia and autism would more easily be able to travel to work, socialise and access shops.

The DfT said councils have different interpretations of existing rules with only some recognising hidden disabilities.

Transport minister Jesse Norman said: "Blue badges give people with disabilities the freedom to get jobs, see friends or go to the shops with as much ease as possible.

"We want to try to extend this to people with invisible disabilities, so they can enjoy the freedom to get out and about, where and when they want."

Around 2.4 million disabled people in England have a blue badge.

This enables them to park free of charge in pay and display bays and for up to three hours on yellow lines, while in London they exempt holders from having to pay the congestion charge.

The changes will be put to an eight wee public consultation.

Sarah Lambert, head of policy at the National Autistic Society, welcomed the proposal and said amending parking permit access could be "a lifeline" for many autistic people, who often do not qualify under current regulations.

Autistic people can suffer anxiety from not being able to park in a predictable place close to their destination, and some can "experience too much information" from the environment around them on public transport, Ms Lambert said.

"We hope the Government will make this important change and we look forward to working with them to make sure that autistic people and their families benefit."