Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron are among a host of public figures lending their support to Autism Sunday, taking place this weekend.

Autism Sunday, which was set up by Ivan and Charika Corea who have a son with the condition, is an international day of prayer for people with autism and Asperger's syndrome.

This year politicians, councillors, parents, carers and children and adults with autism and Asperger's will attend an Autism Sunday service on February 14 at All Saint's Church, Redbridge, to remember the 60 million people with autism around the globe.

The Prime Minister's office sent a message of support and opposition leader Mr Cameron said: "I would like to express my support for Autism Sunday. As many as one in a hundred people could be affected by some form of autism, and it is important that we recognise and raise awareness of the difficulties and challenges that they can face."

Conservative MP for Chesham and Amersham Cheryl Gillan MP, who took the 2009 Autism Bill through Parliament, said: "I am sure that this event will be a great success and will provide a great support to many people. I would like to send my very best wishes."

Other notable supporters include The Duchess of Cornwall, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Minister of State for Children and Young People Dawn Primarolo, autism expert Professor Simon Baron Cohen of Cambridge University and Baroness Sandip Verma.

Mr Corea, co-founder of Autism Sunday, said: "I urge autism campaigners around the world to use Autism Sunday as a platform to lobby hard on the serious education and health issues connected with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

"Autism Sunday is now a massive worldwide event and it is an opportunity to press for genuine and lasting change for parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

"I am urging people all over the world to write to world leaders asking them to do more for autism and Asperger's Syndrome and provide better public services in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care.

"Someone on Twitter said it is quite appropriate that this year Autism Sunday is on Valentine's Day. It's all about love.

"This is so true, we campaign because we love our children. They may have the label of autism but they have so much potential and are so very special. It's all about love. We don't do this for the money."

The London Service for Autism Sunday will take place on February 14 at 11.15am at All Saint's Church, Inman's Row, Woodford Wells, IG8 0NH. For more information on Autism Sunday go to http://autismsunday.blog.co.uk.