'This is a project for mutually beneficial encounters. Here you can swap services for sex. And, as well, offer sex for a service.' Picture: The Siberian Times

Online communities are offering people the chance to exchange services or goods for sex, in a 'totally new trend'.

'Due to the economic crisis, sex is used to pay for traditional services such as plumbing, car maintenance, setting up furniture and house moving,' reported Baikal Daily news website. There even are special online communities for this purpose.'

One states: 'This is a project for mutually beneficial encounters. Here you can swap services for sex. And, as well, offer sex for a service. If you need a service or goods, but you can't or don't want to spend money on it, you can do something.'

Users may 'offer' their services for 'a pleasant reward', it was explained.

Unnamed experts 'believe that the reason for such unusual services is the worsening economic situation, drop in income, and high number of loans,' stated the report.

Men offer a lift, home repairs, logs suply, cell-phones. Girl is ready to pay with sex for the renovation in her flat. Picture: Vkontakte

'The average resident of Buryatia has at least two loans to pay off - and spends half their income to do so.' This leaves them short of cash.

One man offered that he could carry out home repairs in return for sex. He boasted: 'You get both pleasure and renovation.' Others have offered to undertake dog walking duties in return for sex, or even supply soup.

A female posted: 'Looking for a man who can do the wiring in my flat. 2 rooms. Sex 2-3 times in return. Anonymous. Girl, 26.' Nine men responded offering their assistance.

A 23 year old woman offered a date in exchange for new furniture. 'Will meet with a guy in exchange for a new sofa. Girl, 23, if you want, 'like'. Anonymous.' She had 21 'likes'.

Unnamed experts 'believe that the reason for such unusual services is the worsening economic situation, drop in income, and high number of loans.' Pictures: Visit Buryatia, Baikaltravel, Chita.ru

Many men openly name themselves while women using the site hide behind anonymity.

One man called Artur Konstantinov, from Ulan-Ude, the republic's capital, this month offered to deliver and stack 'dry logs' as firewood, and to be paid according to 'conditions of the community', in other words, sex instead of money.

Ivan Nikolaev: 'I haven't used my iPhone 4 for four years. Will give it away under conditions of the community.'

Last month, a man named Dmitry Trifonov advertised: 'Greetings! Relaxing massage as well as all sorts of services - electrical wires, setting up furniture, fixing home appliances, setting up PC, plumbing! Message me!'

Another, Alexey Drobysh, offered taxi rides in the city in exchange for sex. There are also offers to help people move house under the same terms.