A hard-up student is selling his soul over the Internet to pay off his debts.

Graham Malham, 26, who lives in Newcastle, is desperate to pay off the £10,000 debts he accumulated while studying at Sunderland University.

Mr Malham, who describes himself as "a complete atheist," said: "Four years of studying for an art degree have taken their toll on my finances.

"I have already sold small items on an Internet auction site, such as CDs and a mobile phone, but now I'm selling my soul to the highest bidder."

Clergy yesterday dismissed the stunt as ridiculous.

The Reverend Joe Poulter, of St Bede's, Town End Farm, Sunderland, said: "I doubt if anyone will take him seriously, although it is a new angle on raising money, but a very strange one."

Father Brian Russell, of St Leonards RC Church, Silksworth, said: "The whole idea is ludicrous. The soul is not something you own and is definitely not something you can sell.

"People do sell their soul to the devil but not to other people. This man hasn't got an ounce of spirituality and has obviously just cottoned on to a novelty."

Selling the soul is a concept steeped in tradition. In Marlowe's famous play, Faustus, the eponymous anti-hero sold his soul for 23 years of power.

It was also rumoured that legendary blues guitarist Robert Johnston sold his soul in order to acquire his amazing guitar skills.

Even Bart Simpson from TV's famous dysfunctional family sold his soul to his best friend Milhouse for a mere $5.

Mr Malham is asking £10 plus free "postage and packaging" and pledges that the buyer will receive a contract confirming the transfer of ownership, written in his own blood.

"This is absurd," said Father Christopher Jackson, of St Mary's RC Church in Bridge Street, Sunderland. "But I think this issue also raises important questions about the amount of debt students find themselves in once leaving university.