A YOUNG woman is auctioning her imaginary friend on eBay on the advice of her psychiatrist.

In the ad, 22-year-old Londoner Georgia Horrocks explains that her invisible buddy, Bernard, manifested “at a time of emotional instability” during her childhood.

“My psychiatrist recommended that I say goodbye to Bernard, and although I would like some financial compensation it is more important that he finds a good home,” Ms Horrocks writes.

She hoped the “active” and “mischievous” Bernard would fetch as much as £200 (AUD 367), adding that he “will be sent via imagination to the winning bidder”.

Before you dismiss Ms Horrocks’ ad — or this story — as a dumb joke that nobody in their right mind would fall for, know that in 2007, a British man sold his imaginary friend for a whopping $2,750.

The vendor, “thewildandcrazyoli”, posted the following sales pitch: “My imaginary friend Jon Malipieman is getting too old for me now. I am now 27 and I feel I am growing out of him.

“He is very friendly. Along with him, I will send you what he likes and dislikes, his favourite things to do and his personal self portrait.”