A WIRRAL schoolteacher and a local DJ have organised a mass singalong in support of key workers after this week's clap for NHS staff.

Michael Fazzle, from Tranmere, said the people who live across the road from him are NHS workers and he wanted to show the town's appreciation for their hard work battling coronavirus.

Mr Fazzle, 34, teaches at Stanley School in Pensby, and works as a DJ at the weekend.

He is being helped out by Steven Carol, 34, a full-time DJ from Woodchurch.

Last Thursday at 8.01pm Mr Fazzle got out his speakers and played songs including Heather Small's Proud and David Bowie's Heroes, in a tribute to NHS staff and other key workers.

Many local people joined in and can be heard whooping and singing along in videos circulating on social media.

But this week, with the help of Mr Carol and a big Facebook campaign, Mr Fazzle wants to go further and get people across the country involved.

Discussing how the campaign is going, Mr Fazzle said: "We've got nearly 300 people signed up on Facebook [through the group DJs for key workers].

"About 70% of them are from Wirral, Cheshire or Liverpool, but we've also got members abroad in Switzerland and we’ve had messages of support from Qatar.

"DJs up and down the country will be joining in on Thursday. We have people from Hull, London and Crawley who will be streaming live from their streets."

But Mr Fazzle was keen to emphasise that anyone can get involved, regardless of the kit they have.

Mr Fazzle said: "It started out with predominantly DJs saying they’d play music from their speakers at 8.01pm, but now lots of other people are getting involved.

"If you're not a DJ, you can use your TV, a smart device or a phone.

"We’ll be playing music this week, the next week and the week after that. Anyone can get involved."

Reflecting on the growth of the singalong, Mr Fazzle added: "Me and Steve have got lots of friends across the North West who are DJs and knew that if we could mobilise them we could quickly get in touch with people across the country.

"Without the help of all our supporters we wouldn’t have got anywhere."

Mr Fazzle is setting up an interactive map, so that people can share where they are playing music from.

He had this message for key workers helping the country to carry on through the coronavirus pandemic, he said: "I think the NHS are doing an unbelievably difficult job and doing it with great bravery and perseverance.

"As are our teachers, utility workers, care workers, delivery drivers and all our key workers.

"We wanted to find a way to recognise the bravery and hard work done by everyone who can't stay safe at home."

Mr Carol wanted to share his gratitude to key workers across the country.

He said: "When we think of key workers we think paramedics, police, fire fighters and the emergency service.

"But now everyone knows a key worker and we thought by spreading out and all doing the same thing we can provide support for all of those in our community.

"We encourage as many people [as possible] to get involved and show their support for these brave, normal people putting themselves at risk everyday.

"We knew with the help of our friends and colleagues we could spread our message very quickly.

"We weren't disappointed and the support from our colleagues has been amazing."