PARENTS will know only too well the struggles of getting a toddler to give up their dummy, but one creative mother enlisted the help of a helium balloon and a tall tale for instant success.

Ashleigh Holmes, 24, put the dummy in a Thomas the Tank Engine balloon and attached a handwritten note from little Jenson explaining how he decided to kick the habit.

The two-year-old’s letter asked the finder to share it on Facebook so he would “know where it lands” - and just days later the balloon was spotted and news of its discovery reached the Holmes family within two hours of an online appeal.

The Northern Echo: CREATIVE: Mum Ashleigh Holmes's unusual balloon-inspired method to get rid of Jenson's dummy was a hit

Mum Ashleigh Holmes' unusual balloon-inspired method to get rid of Jenson's dummy was a hit

Mrs Holmes, of Darlington, said: “We didn’t think it would be found so fast - it’s amazing.

“We set it off in fields at the back of the house and thought it might get stuck in a tree so we’ve been looking out when we’ve been in parks.

“It’s a new bedroom story that we will be telling him.”

The balloon was found deflated and without the dummy about 15 miles away in a field three-and-half miles west of Staindrop, near Barnard Castle.

Farmer Martin Gaskin, of Eggleston, stumbled across it and it was not until he showed it to his wife Angela Gaskin on Sunday that the pair decided to spread the word on Facebook.

Two hours after posting the plea to trace the toddler and thanks to hundreds of shares, Mrs Holmes was alerted to its whereabouts.

“The power of social media is unbelievable,” she added.

The mother-of-two decided to take the plunge and take the dummy away from Jenson as he was poorly.

Suffering from hand, foot and mouth disease, the youngster had been unable to use his dummy for one week but kept a tight hold of it.

“It was something we were looking to do for his second birthday,” said Mrs Holmes.

She and the Gaskins have arranged to meet up this week so they can return the balloon.

They have also offered Jenson the chance to visit their cows - his favourite animal.

Mrs Gaskin, who has three children, said: “I thought it was a lovely idea to get rid of a baby’s dummy. It’s such a heart-warming story and Ashleigh sent a video of Jenson saying thank you that reduced me to tears.”

  • What imaginative ways have you tried to rid your kids of their dummies? Comment below.