Hugs for sale! American mother turns snuggles with strangers into £160 a day business venture

29-year-old Jackie Samuel uses the money to pay for her studies

An American student and mother has turned a venture selling hugs to strangers into a thriving £160 a day business.

Jackie Samuel, 29, uses the money she makes to fund her university studies in New York and to help provide for her young son.

Re-naming her Rochester home 'the Snuggery', Samuel cuddles up to 30 men a week for £35 an hour.

However she has strict rules: the snuggling will only take place in her home, and clients are banned from touching any parts of her body which are covered by underwear, which she wears under her pyjamas. No sexual activity is allowed to take place.

She says: 'Snuggling is healthy, spiritual and fun.

'I think clients come to me for all different kinds of reasons. Some of my older clients, their wives have passed away, and they just need someone to be with, like someone to experience touch with.

'Some of the younger clients are between relationships, some are in problematic relationships, and some people are just really curious and they come to just find out what it's going to be like.'

Although she employs the strict rules on sex, people have accused her of being a prositute and her college has threatened to throw her out.

Her clients have come to her defence, with one describing the sessions as 'meditative' and saying 'there's no cheating element, it's not immoral.'

Do you think this is a good idea or downright bizarre? Let us know in the comments below.

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