Send us your rainbow pictures to help us spread hope during coronavirus lockdown

Thousands of children are being encouraged to make the arty designs to raise spirits.

And, as the colourful pictures begin to spread light across our towns and villages, we’d love to share them online and in print – particularly for those who are stuck indoors.

So if you have been creating your own rainbow, why not take a selfie of you and your child with your design and send it to us to share with everyone.

The aim is to bring a smile to people’s faces during this difficult time as well as providing something for the children to do while they are off school and missing their friends.

It is believed the initiative started in Italy, which has been severely affected by coronavirus, and some schools have also encouraged children to make the rainbows.

Pupils across the Standard district and the rest of the UK are at home after the government ordered the closure of all schools in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus.

You can also send your rainbow pictures to us at [email protected].

Please include your name and a few details, including the reasons behind you deciding to come up with a colourful creation.

Alternatively you can contact us via our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gainsstandard/ or tweet them to us at @GainsStandard.

It’s a perfect way of passing the time after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a lockdown with people urged not to leave their home.

The new government guidance says people should only leave home for one of four reasons, which include: shopping for basic necessities such as food and medicine (shopping trips should be as infrequent as possible); one form of exercise a day, such as a run, walk or cycle (this can be done alone or with members of your household); any medical need, to give care or to help a vulnerable person; and travelling to and from work, but only if this is "absolutely necessary" and cannot be done from home.

For more information visit www.gov.uk.