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Hiring a stranger to cuddle may not be your idea of a social life, but thanks to professional huggers , it's one option for Saturday nights.

The growth in cuddlers for hire is staggering with people paying between £40 and £53 for a platonic hug with a member of any gender.

And if up-close-and-personal isn't your bag, there are people who will, for a fee, go shopping, have dinner or just walk with you.

If you're hooked on hugs, Snuggle Buddies may be for you.

The New Jersey, USA company offers experienced cuddlers to soothe.

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Their website explains: "Touch therapy is an alternative therapy that has shown many remarkable benefits.

"Our mission is to remove loneliness and the symptoms it creates from the world through platonic interaction.

" Depression, anxiety, and stress have all shown to be improved with therapeutic touch."

Snuggle Buddies also offer a platonic companionship service for people who don’t want to go out alone.

The business, which currently employs 125 freelance cuddlers, takes in about £10,600 a month in revenue, according to founder Evan Carp, reports The Atlantic .

Happy customers have left enthusiastic quotes about the services.

Jonathan wrote: "“I was hesitant to try this service, but I did and I am very glad! I was very nervous when I met my snuggler, but it didn’t take long for her to make me feel very comfortable.

"Her touch was the most genuine I’ve felt in a very long time and after the session I felt like a new person. I plan to make this a weekly thing.”

Kevin added: "“I was battling depression for about a year and it never occurred to me that the lack of companionship in my life was a contributing factor.

"A friend linked me the website and I wanted to see if it would help out of desperation. I started to feel a lot better after my first session. I am still amazed at how helpful such a simple thing was.”

According to 'professional snuggler' Tonnie, it takes someone special to take up the role successfulyy.

"I’ve been told I am a positive attribute to many.

"I’m a young hearted woman with a lot to offer, as a individual with a big heart, I tend to be a great nurturer of all people."

"I feel that it's important to have human touch involved in a day to day basis," Kevin continued. "It brings not only caring to ones in need, but brings high stress levels down to a low. "

'Natural optimist' Drew is a male snuggler who feels the same: "I live my life being unique, brave and fearless. I aspire to drive others to be the same. I have been a snuggler my entire life and I enjoy bringing the benefits of this to as many people as I can."

It's not just fluffy thinking, either.

Two recent surveys stated that around 40 per cent of adults are lonely, representing an increase from the 20 per cent of adults who said the same back in 1980.

Samantha Hess, a cuddler who has identified 65 cuddling positions and written a book about cuddling, told The Atlantic she's a safe person to hug because she brings no emotional history.

She founded Cuddle Up to Me in 2013 , employing three other female cuddlers to do the needful with those willing to pay around 66 pence an hour for a minimum of 15 minutes.

Her website explains: "During a cuddle session we can hug, sit, lie, dance, sing, read, or play games. This is your time to receive the love and attention that you deserve.

"We may hold hands and chat sitting close, lie and cuddle big spoon/little spoon style, or try some of the more than 50 positions we offer."

Dad talks movingly about how his kids are 'too old for hugs':