Buy the Thames on eBay

It is probably not the greatest bargain in the world - a small bottle of water from the Thames, yours to treasure for about £2 plus postage and packing.

Two online entrepreneurs are offering bottled water straight from the Thames.

One, Sam White, decided to auction 20 bottles after siphoning off a litre's worth from the river near the Houses of Parliament.

With bottles starting at £1.99 he has so far had no takers, despite the fact he includes a series of photographs to prove the water's authenticity.

But with an entrepreneurial zeal that would win the approval of Del Boy of Only Fools And Horses, who once sold "Peckham Spring Water" to his unsuspecting customers, a second salesman is also trying his luck.

Based in Swindon, s.k.y. enterprises is hoping to ship its "unique" product directly to the States for a straight $10 a bottle.

With the slogan "Own a Part of London's Most Famous Landmark - Decorative Bottled River Thames Water", the unnamed businessman provides details of the river's route and highlights of its history.

His sales pitch reads: "This makes a most unusual and talkative centrepiece for any home or office, friend, colleague or family member. You are buying a unique product and each purchase is bottled exclusively for you."

For an extra dollar s.k.y. enterprises will personalise your bottle with a printed label bearing the recipient's name.

Prompt orders attract a 50 per cent discount on the $6 "shipping charge".

But the small print does include the warning: "This is a decorative ornament only and goes through no processing or purifying and is, therefore, unsuitable for drinking." S.k.y. enterprises also promises each bottle is part of an exclusive production run of 1,000.

Meanwhile, the company's owner, who could not be contacted for comment, is also trying to shift a Zanussi dishwasher and a tumble drier.