TBILISI (AFP) - A new business in Georgia is offering single women who need household help the chance to hire 'husbands' by the hour -- but the company's owner admits that all that some of his customers need is love.

"Our service is here to assist those women who need help with tough housekeeping tasks, such as for example minor repair works," company owner Beso Mchedlishvili told AFP.

But he said that many women had been confused by the company's name -- A Husband for an Hour Limited -- and had been asking for something more.

Since going into business in the ex-Soviet republic two months ago, the number of calls from women seeking a more intimate hour has significantly exceeded the orders for the company's actual services.

"So we have to explain to them that our guys are not male prostitutes,"
Mchedlishvili said.

"They can help with repairing a leaking tap, but their job description says nothing about providing affection."

Hiring out a 'husband' from the Tbilisi-based company costs 17 dollars (13
euros) an hour, Mchedlishvili said.