Morning:
18°c
Johnny Depp has become, in his young middle age, like a star of the movies’ golden period
The full story of the rescue operation was told as it emerged that plastic windows fitted at the block two years ago melted in the intense heat, effectively acting as fuel for the blaze
More...
For sale on eBay: a dream holiday with a stranger
Last updated at 23:37pm on 26.12.06
Adam Croot: Originally planned the holiday to propose to his girlfriend, was dumped by her just weeks ago
It is the ultimate romantic break - a luxury suite at a Jamaican couples' resort, ocean views, candles, fresh flowers and massages.
And it is on sale on the Internet site eBay for just a fraction of its £2,400 value.
There is, of course, a catch. Your companion is already provided.
Adam Croot, who originally planned the holiday to propose to his girlfriend, was dumped by her just weeks ago.
Broken hearts aside, their split was a financial disaster as the flights and hotel deposit are nonrefundable.
So the 39-year-old decided to go anyway, and find another woman to share the fun.
Mr Croot said: 'Maybe I'm just tight, or maybe I hate seeing anything go to waste, but I want to go to Jamaica. Someone can grab the holiday cheaply, but the catch is they have to come with me.
'Many of my friends would say, "That is just too high a price to pay" but what the hell, nothing ventured, nothing gained.'
The rules of the Couples Swept Away resort state it is for heterosexual couples only, so he cannot go alone, or with a male friend.
'All my female friends are already either married or in a relationship, and I don't think their partners would like me borrowing them for a "romantic" break,' he said.
'So that basically left me with eBay, and it appealed to my sense of humour. It is being done a bit tongue-in-cheek, but if something good comes out of it then I'd take that seriously. I guess it's a variation on Internet dating.'
Mr Croot, an insurance operations director from Wokingham, Berkshire, had intended to pop the question on the trip.
He added: 'I am perfectly normal, I've got a good sense of humour and I'm basically just looking for a fun holiday with someone.
'There would have to be some sort of physical attraction with whoever goes, but basically let's just see what happens.'
The eBay entry includes reviews of the resort and pictures of himself.
He has also laid down some ground rules, such as not wishing to go with anyone old enough to be his granny, nor with anyone 'who has a jealous husband'.
The holiday is booked for a week in February, and so far Mr Croot has had more than 2,500 'hits' from people viewing his eBay page.
He said he reserved the right not to go with someone if he thought they would not get on, and has already been in e-mail contact with two or three bidders.
As for his ex-girlfriend, a call-centre manager, he said: 'She doesn't know I've put it on eBay and I doubt she would see the funny side. Mind you, she dumped me, so does it really matter?'
The auction site is becoming increasingly popular, with Internet users buying and selling everything from the contents of their garden shed to luxury goods.
Cherie Blair famously bought a pair of red stiletto shoes for £10 and bid 99p for a Winnie the Pooh alarm clock for son Leo, while an increasing number of couples say they 'met' while shopping on the site.
It was reported that singer James Blunt's sister Emily fell in love with multimillionaire Guy Harrison after he bid for an item she was selling on eBay.
