7:30pm Sunday 4th February 2007
BACHELOR Mark Broughton, who was looking for love, was auctioned tonight for £17 on Internet site eBay.
Mr Broughton, a 37-year-old former parking attendant, has not been able to find a partner since splitting with his long-time girlfriend two years ago.
He said he took the drastic step of putting himself literally on the market because he was fed up of hanging around pubs and bars in the hope of bumping into the love of his life.
Mr Broughton, who lives in a flat in Corn Bar, Witney, admitted that he was 'no hunk', weighing 18 stone, but he promised his bride-to-be other attractive qualities, and vowed: "I am a very loyal person, and I promise I would never cheat on a woman. The bidding started at one penny, and whoever wins the auction can move into my flat for a week. If they still want to marry me after that, then I will stick to my word, but it will be their choice."
There were a total of 12 bids during the ten-day auction, with the winning bid of £17 placed by an eBay member with the name seanioo666.
Mr Broughton said he was not fussy about what his future wife looked like, or how old she was.
He added: "Looks have never interested me. I'm looking for someone who is friendly, with a good sense of humour, and someone who I can have a laugh and a joke with."
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