Hoarding affects more than 1.2 million people across the UK.

A self storage firm is offering support to Blackburn and Burnley hoarders after a Channel 4 series revealed that the problem affects more than 1.2 million people across the UK.

Channel 4 series The Hoarder Next Door has exposed a nationwide habit for hoarding, an issue now experienced by between 2-5% of the UK population.  The programme sees psychotherapist Stelios Kiosses visit homes across the UK where serial stashers have let their hoarding habit spiral out of control.

Stelios visited Blackburn mum Yvonne, who was stashing her children’s old toys, clothes, games and videos. Stelios looked at the psychological reasons behind the hoarding to help Yvonne work towards a clearer mind and happier home.

Store First, which has storage centres for individuals and businesses in Blackburn and Burnley, has spoken out in support of the series.  Operations Director Stuart Laverty said: "This programme has shown that there are deeper issues at play than simple untidiness. Having a place to store unused or seasonal belongings safely is only one small part of the solution, but it is a step towards addressing the wider issue."

Top photo: a Store First facility; Nigel Jennings from Liverpool, is one of the most extreme cases Stelios has ever seen. The only place he can sit in his home is a mattress and he hasn't been inside some of his rooms for seven years because they are so jammed.