A BRAVE schoolboy got a little help from a Manchester United footballer to be chosen to switch on some of Barrow's Christmas lights.

Eight-year-old Zach McBryde, from Walney, will turn on the town square’s Christmas lights after winning 1101 votes in a Facebook competition.

Barrow Christmas Light Switch On has been running a competition to find worthy individuals to switch on festive lights across the town.

Zach was nominated for the young person category by family friend Lynne Ashton.

This year, Zach underwent a second heart operation at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

However, his bravery and courage acted as an inspiration for all throughout and has since recovered well from the surgery.

Earlier in the year, Zach and his school Vickerstown Primary School raised £1,629 for the British Heart Foundation.

Zach’s mum Sarah McBryde said: “In February when he found out he was going to need another operation he said to me: ‘I want to do something for the British Heart Foundation.’

“So we got together with his school and just before lockdown hit we did a charity raffle and a run.

“I think a lot of people who voted for him for the Christmas lights switch on had done so because of what he did for charity.”

Following his subsequent nomination, Zach suddenly became famous amongst celebrities.

MasterChef winner Simon Wood and Brad Singleton from the Wigan Warriors both voiced their support for Zach.

This week, Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata joined the list of celebrities to endorse Zach.

Yesterday, following the support from his new celebrity friends and the general public, Zach was announced as the winner of the vote.

In response to this, Mrs McBryde revealed how delighted her son was.

She said: “When the votes were coming in and we found out last night that he had won it he was so pleased and so excited.

“Even just to be nominated he was so excited.

“When he won he said: ‘Oh my god I can’t believe it!’

Mrs McBryde also highlighted how proud it has made herself, Zach’s dad, Darren and older sister Freya.

She said: “With everything that Zach has gone through, we were literally elated by the nomination and when he won we were so proud.

“We have been really touched by what everyone has been saying about Zach, it really does mean a lot to us.”