IT'S World Downs Syndrome day today and a North-East mother and her son are two of the stars of a viral video.

Cheryl Gibb, of Ashington, is one of 50 parents with Downs Syndrome children who star in a special 'car pool karaoke' video which has taken the internet by storm.

Millions of people have watched the Youtube video entitled 50 Mums | 50 Kids | 1 Extra Chromosome.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Cheryl Gibb, of Ashington with her son Nate

The heartwarming video, featuring Cheryl and her son Nate, four, has been backed by pop star Christina Perri, who has allowed the use of her song 1,000 Years.

Speaking on BBC5Live this morning, Cheryl said it started as an idea among a group of mothers.

"We thought it would be a bit of a laugh, not realising how good it would be," said Cheryl.

"One of the dads pulled it all together and it's amazing, we are so overwhelmed by the response.

"The last count I heard was that 8.3 million (people had watched it).

"We have reports today that it's in Dubai, it's on Mexican news channels, it's worldwide, we are overwhelmed, we really are."

Cheryl said she was always singing in the car with Nate.

"The video shows the bond between mother and child, it is so poweful. Christina Perri's song just reinforces that, the words are so beautiful," she said.

"We are so humbled that Christina allowed us to use her song. I don't think it would have been as successful had we not have used that."

Speaking to The Northern Echo afterwards Cheryl added: "Singing Hands was the inspiration behind it and we couldn't have done with without theirs and Christina's support.

"The use of Makaton is such a big part of our lives in order to enable our children, and others to communicate and us with them, Singing Hands has helped us all with learning to sign and our children love them."