Leeds children get less from the tooth fairy

The tooth fairy leaves an average of £3.34 per tooth nationally, putting estimates of the size of the tooth fairy industry at a whopping £450m - but the north/south divide is real.

Youngsters in Yorkshire and the Humber can expect to get an average of £2.97 per tooth, compared to £4.84 in Greater London.

The difference is laid stark when you consider a full set of lost milk teeth, with young Londoners cashing in a massive £98.60, compared to £59.40 in Yorkshire - which is less than the national average at £66.80.

Nationally, children are getting less money from the tooth fairy than their parents did - £3.34 compared to £5.76 - and the banking group has warned that if the current trend of dwindling pay-outs continues, the tooth fairy won’t be giving anything by 2060.

Giles Martin, Head of Savings at Halifax, which carried out the research, said: “The good news is that two thirds of children save the money they get from the tooth fairy, either in a piggy bank or a savings account. Just like regular pocket money, it’s a great opportunity to get kids into the savings habit from a young age.”

Six-year-old Theo Royle, from Stanningley in Leeds, has so far lost two of his milk teeth and received £2 per tooth. He has a third tooth now wobbling and he intends on putting any money received as a result towards a computer game.

He said: “My mum said that if you don’t believe in the tooth fairy then she won’t come, so I definitely believe. I’m not really sure where the tooth fairy gets the money from for the teeth though, I think she must sell other teeth she’s taken.”

His mum Jocelyn, 29, said: “I think Theo is hoping the tooth fairy might be more generous for the next tooth he loses as it’s one of his front ones.

“I think she’s already fairly generous though, certainly more generous than we thought she’d be.”