The Tooth Fairy today broke down in tears as she admitted she was seeking help for 'pathological orthodontic hoarding tendencies' - a condition which has seen the mythological pixie collect and store millions of teeth in her council house in Bideford.
Environmental Health inspector Kathy Stewart was called to the property after neighbours became increasingly concerned about the unsanitary conditions the Tooth Fairy was living in. "There was just teeth everywhere" she said. "In jars under the bed, bin bags, shoe boxes under the floorboards. And when you ran the tap? Teeth. It was without doubt the freakiest thing I've seen in 20 years in the job."
It seems the Tooth Fairy's obsession began when she found a shark tooth on Paignton beach as a child. But as the occassional dental discovery became less frequent she started paying children sometimes extortionate prices for their unwanted gnashers.
The Tooth Fairy is thought to have run up debts exceeding £6 million, leading analysts to question why the bank continued to lend money over such a long period based on "an inherently flawed business plan".
It is not yet certain how the teeth will be disposed of as fears grow that the slowly decomposing mountains of enamel may lead to an outbreak of plaque.
