the dailymash

Single, 46 year-old planning officer Roy Hobbs, from Acton, hopes that selling his virtue in Trade-It will furnish him with the last bit of cash he needs to buy a limited-edition pewter scale-model of a Romulan scout ship in a clear display case from Forbidden Planet.

He said: "The designated night of sexual congress is next Tuesday, when mother is out at her craft club until at least 9.30pm.

"I have purchased a packet of mint Viscounts and Heart FM will be playing at low volume.

"Ideally the person who buys my virginity will be a patient, considerate older woman with a nice, soothing voice. A bit like mother but with different-coloured hair."

Roy's advertisement has attracted several interested buyers, but he has been unable to agree satisfactory terms.

He said: "The last chap walked around me several times and gave me a light kick in the shin before saying I wasn't what he was looking for, but his brother-in-law's cousin, who lives in York, might be interested. He never called back.

"Then a couple rang up and said they were going to come and have a look at me, but they couldn't find the house  - there's no number on the front and it is very poorly signposted around here."

He added: "The original advert said 'no perverts' but I'm thinking of changing it to 'no perverts or time wasters'."

Chingford-based student Nikki Hollis met with more success recently when she sold the opportunity to finger her on Ebay with a 'Buy It Now' price of £10.

She said: "The sixty or so men who paid weren't sleazy at all. Creepy perhaps, but not sleazy.

"I'm going to spend the money on tuition fees and Marlboro Lights."