Weary parents in search of shut-eye as Freddy, three, hosts nightly ‘parties’

But Kathryn and Ryan Taylor have more bags under their eyes than most, as their son Freddy has been having nightly “parties” for the past two years.

The Sheffield couple have now stripped his bedroom of colour and toys in the hope that distractions won’t stir his imagination.

Freddy, three, wakes every morning between 1am and 3am to talk, sing loudly, and play.

Mrs Taylor has even visited a sleep workshop in her search for a good night’s sleep – where they were amazed by Freddy’s behaviour.

The family have now been advised to make changes to Freddy’s diet and even strip colourful items from his room so his imagination will not be stirred when he wakes in the night.

Artist Mrs Taylor said: “I call it sleep parties because he is really having a great time.

“He isn’t attention-seeking, in fact if you go in, he doesn’t want to be disturbed in his games.

“At first we just left him to it, because although it was loud we thought he would stop eventually.

“But it’s been going on for two years now and we’re just exhausted.”

Sleep practitioner Vicki Dawson said: “Freddy was the first instance I’ve seen of this unusual behaviour but, because Kathryn has come forward, other parents suffering from similar issues have too.”