Mr Brennan led the field as frenzied women at The Helena May event shelled out $200,000 for the 22 studs up for grabs.

Last year's line-up managed to raise just $122,000.

Mr Brennan put an early favourite, No4, a 25-year-old rumoured to have a touch of the Jude Law about him, in the shade.

Perhaps it was the promise he wouldn't climb the furniture or stain the carpet. But bidding ceased at $4,000.

Bidding was fast and furious as the bachelors went under the hammer during the second annual charity auction.

Bid for a Bachelor offers singles a chance to meet up, have a bit of fun, do a bit for charity and maybe, just maybe, find themselves a partner just in time for Valentine's Day.

'The relationships are not necessarily long term,' Ms Riley said. 'Perhaps liaisons is a better word.'

The idea is a simple one: get 300 single women into a room, ply them with booze and keep a steady stream of males coursing across the stage. At some point those purses are going to spring open.

This year the proceeds of the night will be going to help Soul Talk, a 24-hour phone counselling service for women in crisis. It also provides a 'Loving Home' in the New Territories that serves as a refuge for women in need.

Backstage, nerves were building, although the bachelors tried to cover it with a few jokes and a liberal dose of alcohol.

Cedric Rubellin was relishing the opportunity to have a horde of women vying for his attentions.

'We don't have to prove anything,' he said. 'It's good to feel like a gigolo ... this is every man's dream.

'Also, I lost my mother to cancer four months ago and this is for charity. So if I can help somebody by being here, well ...'

Another specimen, Ronan Collins, found himself in a bit of a bind after realising he'd left his carefully prepared speech at home.

'I'm just going to have to wing it. I'm going to be playing on two things now: my red rose and my manly Irish accent,' he said.

'Luckily I'm number 12, so the women'll be well oiled by the time I get out there.'

Lurking off to one side, Miwa Fujita was looking to get herself a birthday present.

'The selection is quite good,' she purred. 'I hope they've got takeaway, because I have to go back to Japan on Monday.'