SCHOOLBOY Zachery Rigby is helping cheer up the nation, with his rainbow painting taking pride of place in the window of 10 Downing Street.

Zachery, aged eight, answered an appeal for children’s artwork to adorn the famous windows and his mum, Jannine, sent in his painting.

The family were thrilled when they spotted it in a picture posted on the official UK Prime Minister Facebook page, taking pride of place in the building, along with a thank-you message to Zachery.

“It is just crazy. We couldn’t believe it,” said Jannine.

"Zachery was speechless. He was over the moon. He really was."

Zachery, a pupil at St Andrew's Primary School, Ramsbottom, had originally painted the picture to put in the window of his own home in Pot Green, Holcombe Brook, where he lives with his mum, dad Christian and brother Benjamin, aged 14.

"We've still got the original in the window. I don't think anyone has noticed yet that it's the one in Downing Street," said Jannine.

Like the rest of the country, the Rigby family were rooting for Boris Johnson as he battled coronavirus in hospital and hope that he will be able to see Zachery's picture when he returns home from recuperating at Chequers.

"It's like we have a connection with him now," said Jannine.

"We're so proud. It's a huge claim to fame."

In the meantime Zachery is being home schooled by his mum, who is a teacher and is continuing to paint more pictures as well as practising the drums and piano and once the lockdown is ended, is looking forward to playing football and continuing his quest to climb mountains — he has got to the top of 13 so far.