MOST people cannot resist a smile as they walk past a terraced house in a back street in the centre of Bexleyheath.

And many children cannot believe fairies live just five minutes' walk from the busy Bexleyheath Broadway.

But Maria Tume's bright pink house proudly proclaims "Fairies live here".

Mrs Tume, 37, has lived in her East Street home for six years with her daughter April, now 15.

Newly divorced and with lots of problems still on her plate, she said she decided to "try and lighten the mood" by painting the house a vivid pink.

She said: "We started with the gate. Then April asked if she could paint the wall and I discovered she had taken the pink paint to do it, so we just carried on from there.

"I was worried about how the neighbours might react as the house is in the middle of a terrace but they have been fabulous."

With an interest in clairvoyancy, Mrs Tume, a market researcher, has also gradually populated the garden with models of small fairies and added little signs.

Her house is en route to the nearby Pelham Primary School and she says the children love to walk by.

She added: "I have had one child ask if Barbie lived here, had drawings, cards and small gifts put through the letter box and people even knocking at the door.

"Pensioners from the nearby old people's home also bring their families to see it.

"It makes me so happy to see the children's reactions. I have even seen people walk into the lamppost outside while staring at the house."

Her next idea is to build a small wishing well in the garden where people can throw a coin to make a wish. She will give the money it raises to the Ellenor Foundation.