A YORK politician has found himself "up for sale" on the internet.

Paul Blanchard, Labour councillor for Heworth and a candidate for Ryedale in the next General Election, was amazed to find he was being auctioned off to the highest bidder on sales website www.ebay.co.uk

The cheeky sale was the brainchild of Paul's best friend, Simon Eldritch, and the latest in a long line of pranks involving the two men.

On Ebay, the auction for Paul is listed as: "Best mate for sale. No reserve. Just please take him."

Simon wrote. "He's 29 and I've known him for 26 years. He's been OK, but now's the time to get rid. Might get a gnome instead.

"He's about 5'4" high and, due to his liking for pies and cream cakes, about the same wide. Hours of amusement with some pre-programmed phrases!"

Simon said he took the drastic decision to sell Paul after Coun Blanchard mocked up a spoof CV for him which described how useless he was.

But now Paul has been left speechless after learning that he will soon be "owned" by the highest bidder when the auction ends on Sunday afternoon.

There have been a flood of bids for the 29-year-old York man, who is currently up for grabs for £36. The sale has seen Simon bombarded with questions from interested buyers, which now has its own forum space on ebay's website.

Simon said: "I was his best man at his wedding and we have known each other all our lives. With 21 bids, I didn't realise he was going to be quite so popular. That's why there's no reserve on the sale.

"It's a lot of fun and he's going to have to do something for whoever buys him. I have put his postage at £60. That's for a set of plimsolls so he can walk to the winner.

"For express delivery, I'll tell Paul there's a pie waiting for him. He'll be there in no time!"

Paul said: "I think this is hilarious. We are always trying to outdo each other with practical jokes. It's like a big game of chess. I think it's brilliant, although I was a bit surprised to find I was being sold."

Updated: 11:09 Saturday, August 14, 2004