The water is available hot or cold

The "fabulous bucket of Bristol Water" started off as a joke between a group of friends.

But with a week to run on the auction, the lot is currently worth �99.

The highest bid for the "fabulous bucket of Bristol tap water" early on Wednesday was �11.01, but nearly 3,800 people have now visited the site and the price has soared.

The bucket of water's owner, known by his auction call sign juss01, says he is stunned by the response.

"One person e-mailed me and wanted to know which reservoir the water had come from," he told BBC News Online.

There is, of course, a much cheaper way of getting hold of it and we can sell anyone 1,000 litres for about 74p Jeremy Williams Bristol Water

"I'm getting e-mails every day with questions and responses to the auction, I just can't believe that anyone has bothered to bid for the item."

Bristol Water said they were delighted their product was receiving such appreciation.

Jeremy Williams, company spokesperson, said: "It is of course very flattering.

"There is, of course, a much cheaper way of getting hold of it and we can sell anyone 1,000 litres for about 74p."

At the end of the auction the successful bidder will have to arrange to pick up the plastic bucket and its contents at a secret location.

Juss01 added: "The successful bidder can have it hot or cold. I'll even add some orange squash if they want."