An 11-year-old boy from Sevenoaks who has been teaching yoga to children across the world during the pandemic has received Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s daily Points of Light award.

Ishwar Sharma began hosting free online classes from his home in Halstead which were already proving a success before the start of the Coronavirus pandemic.

But when lockdown hit, the sessions proved even more vital with Ishwar, who has autism and ADHD, keen to promote the physical and mental health benefits to the activity.

Now in his daily sessions, he teaches 40 children across 14 countries.

In a personal letter to Ishwar, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "You have brought the joy of yoga to hundreds of children globally during lockdown.

"I was particularly inspired to hear how you have helped children with special needs enjoy the activity you enjoy and excel at."

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement, Ishwar said: "I am honoured and humbled by this recognition. There have been unprecedented mental health issues amongst children due to the pandemic.

"I feel it is a recognition of yoga as a discipline which helps in balancing mental and physical health. This award has motivated me to continue my endeavour to spread the message of yoga all over the world.

"I hope yoga and meditation will be included in the national school curriculum in the future."

Ishwar started taking up yoga when he was three after seeing his Dad practise.

He is now a three-time World Yoga Champion and wants to help other children, particularly those with special needs like himself, to reap the benefits of the activity.

Ishwar is the 1646th person to receive the Prime Minister’s UK daily Points of Light award, which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a difference where they live.

Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to celebrate their remarkable achievements, including hundreds of volunteers who have been recognised for how they have served their communities through the coronavirus pandemic.

The Points of Light awards recognise outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

Tony Hudgell from Kings Hill is also a previous winner of the accolade.

Tony raised more than £1 million for charity by walking 10km on his new prosthetic legs and was presented with the Prime Minister's Points of Light Award in July.

Read more: All the latest news from Sevenoaks