A SCHOOLBOY has penned a poem in a bid to cheer up residents of his village.

10-year-old Dylan Batey, who attends St Andrew's Primary School in Heddon-on-the-Wall, wrote the piece after his mum, Victoria, explained to him what was going on in the world.

Dylan, who also plays for Heddon United football club, hoped his poem would bring a smile to people in the village.

He said: "My mum told me that it would be a good idea to write something to keep people happy in the village. I decided that a poem would be best.

"I just started writing. I looked up things about the coronavirus and then thought about things that rhyme - I had a brain storm.

"I'm really proud of it."

Victoria added that she was proud of Dylan, and English was one of his better subjects at school.

The poem will go on display in Heddon for locals to see.

It reads: "I know you have bad dreams about covid 19

"But remember we can get through this if we work as a team,

"We must follow the rules given by the Prime Minister,

"To defeat this virus that is so sinister,

"With the world we have lost touch and connection,

"But we will not be stopped by this evil infection,

"God gave us our very own heroes called the NHS,

"They are the ones who will save us from this mess,

"People have stepped up to help others in need,

"So we can get through this and all be freed."