A Chinese factory is partly shutting down its normal business to help an autistic British teen by making a toddlers' cup that he is dependent on, but which has long been out of production.

Jackel China, in Dongguan, Guangdong province, will halt the normal operation of three of its machines for two to three days. They will be used to make 500 to 1,000 blue-green Tommee Tippee cups. The teen's dad, Marc Carter, said it is the only cup his autistic son Ben will drink from.

The cup used by 14-year-old Ben was purchased 12 years ago and is now worn out. His father issued an appeal to find a replacement.