YOUNG Thomas Foreman is literally eating his parents out of house and home.

He suffers from the rare disorder pica, and can't stop eating carpet fluff, cuddly toys, soil, dirt, and soft furnishings.

The six-year-old's parents, Vicky and Jonathan, have redesigned their home, stripping it of carpets, to stop him from eating things that could make him ill.

Now Thomas can play happily and sleep in his own "Safe Space" - a special PVC tent in his bedroom.

Mrs Foreman, a teacher, said: "The list of things he will bite, pull and pluck is endless.

"He has even been known to eat the fluff balls that have collected on socks; unfortunately the person is usually still wearing them.

"He will eat his own hair, other people's hair or hair in sweeping brushes, foam stuffing and cotton wool."

At first Mrs Foreman, 38, and her husband, 42, thought Thomas was just using his mouth to explore things, but tests later diagnosed autism and pica.

The couple have adapted their home in Gosforth, Newcastle, to manage his condition as best they can.

Mrs Foreman said: "To satisfy his urge for gritty things, he will eat soil, dirt, dust, sand, soot, rubber play park flooring, glitter; he will lick stones, sticks, logs, slides, swings, the bottom of his shoes, pram wheels and cars."

Their daughter Ella, eight, has a keypad lock on her door to stop him nibbling her soft toys.

Looking after Thomas, who is also unable to speak, can be very difficult and exhausting, but the Safe Space, provided by the Sunshine Fund charity, is proving a hit.

"The space is very calming for him as well because sometimes he gets a little hyperactive, and it means he cannot eat anything that might be dangerous through the night," added Mrs Foreman