Kids are not cheap. They plough through toys, clothes and food at a rate of knots, leaving swathes of unloved or outgrown items in their wake.

In response to this phenomenon, French company Dim Dom has launched a service that offers toys for rent on either a short-term or subscription basis. Grandparents expecting kids for a visit, or parents who want to keep their kids constantly entertained.

For EUR 19.95 per month, you can have a LoveFilm model which allows you to have any 4 toys at once and each toy for a maximum of 12 months. You return one, you get another one.

Toys are apparently purchased new from official suppliers and disinfected between uses.

Knowing that a number of my Barbie’s shoes passed through my digestive track as a child, this is a comforting thought.