The water, which has been collected in a mineral water bottle, has yet to attract an offer of more than 50p, despite the Watford-based seller claiming that “after costs I will be giving 50% of profit to charity".

Bidding closes at 11pm tonight, though if people are keen to own water from the fountain, it's possible to collect their own. A spokesman for Royal Parks said; “All the water comes from a new bore hole so if people want some as a keepsake they don't have to pay a penny.”

The memorial fountain, which took seven years to materialise due to prolonged disputes, is unlikely to run dry in the near future and on only its second day flooded when leaves blocked a filter.

This hopeful seller is continuing a trend of flogging items with a tenuous link to important events or people. There are currently 20 auctions on eBay selling mud from the Glastonbury festival, some of which are just hawking a lump of mud while others are advertising items that have the “famous” mud attached, ranging from boots to a car.

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