Auction website eBay has been inundated with fake Britney listings

Spears had the drastic cut at Esther's Hair Studio in California on Friday.

The website, buybritneyshair.com, claims to have been set up by salon owner Esther Tognozzi.

It includes photos of the hair, saying it is "absolutely authentic". Meanwhile, Spears has been spotted in Hollywood sporting a short blonde wig.

Charity pledge

The salon's website offers bidders an "opportunity of a lifetime" and says a portion of the proceeds will be donated to various unnamed charities.

As well as the hair, the winning bidder will also get the hair clippers Spears used, a blue lighter she left at the salon and the can of Red Bull she was drinking at the time.

The site adds that the successful bidder can pick up the hair from Esther's Hair Studio in Tarzana, California.

Salon co-owner JT Tognozzi said: "We still don't know why Britney chose our shop. We'll probably never know."

Mr Tognozzi said they originally listed the hair on internet auction site eBay, but it was cancelled for an "unknown reason."

Internet frauds

On Tuesday morning there were scores of supposed locks of Spears' hair for sale on eBay - including some located in the UK and Germany.

"It's pretty crazy all the frauds and stuff that's out there," Mr Tognozzi said. "They're not even in our state."

EBay said many postings claiming to offer "genuine" locks have already been removed.

An eBay spokeswoman said: "Anyone considering the purchase of such an item should read the listing carefully and only proceed if they are completely happy that the item they are buying is authentic."