A youngster has found a novel way of helping children wash their hands for the right amount of time.
Changing the lyrics to Stevie Wonder's catchy Happy Birthday song, Austin Crooks has become quite the internet hit.
His mum Kerry shared a video of him singing the song, while washing his hands to inspire other youngsters to do the same amid the coronavirus outbreak.
His lyrics are quite simple - 'Stop coronavirus, stop it spreading, get rid of germs' - but repeated three times it equates to the 20 seconds needed for a thorough hand wash.
Speaking to Heart North West , the 10-year-old Manchester City fan, from Leyland, Lancashire, said: "I wrote it to make people feel happy to wash their hands and it's just to cheer people up, to make them feel like that they need to help and do something about it."
"It quite a quick song and it's good and memorable."
His dad Patrick said: "Austin loves singing at home was being told how to wash his hands by his mum Kerry, using the happy birthday song that PHE were advising.
"He started singing a version to Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday song. Then his mother said you can write your own lyrics and he sat down on his own, wrote it and worked out that it takes about 20 seconds to wash your hands if you sing it twice."
Patrick said that his son, who had a speech impediment when he was younger and had to had grommets fitted in his ears, 'was initially reluctant for his friends to see him'.
"But their response was quite remarkable with him as they all supported him with high fives and jubilations," said Patrick.
"Austin has enjoyed his moment in the limelight and we as parents have been advised by friends and family to take him to singing lessons.
"He loves animals and wants to grow up to be a vet but after recent events he is considering becoming 'the singing vet'.
Austin has also been praised by NHS North West, where a spokesperson said: “It’s really important that we take steps to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus.
“Austin’s video is a great way to remember to wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds. We might not all have Austin’s vocal talents, but that shouldn’t stop us following his lead and making sure we’re doing everything we can to stop the spread of coronavirus.”
