+ Click to Enlarge SPLASHING IT ABOUT: A bikini-clad - and more demure - employee of "Bubbles 'n Babes", a nude and topless car wash in drought-stricken Brisbane, washes a customer's car with recycled water. Image: AFP

May 4, 2007

Sydney, Australia - The worst drought in memory has had many weird side-effects in Australia but a nude car-wash has to be one of the oddest.

The "big dry" has driven snakes into towns in search of water and sent thirst-crazed wild camels rampaging through outback camps.

In east coast Brisbane, capital of the "Sunshine State" of Queensland, it's led to water restrictions that include a ban on residents washing their own cars.

The result: a boom in professional car-wash services, a phenomenon which caught the eye of strip-club entrepreneur Warren Armstrong.

He set up "Bubbles 'n Babes" where customers can have their cars washed by a topless woman for A$55 or a nude woman for A$100 and it's all apparently above board.

Armstrong told the City News: "I'm just trying to make an honest dollar - simple as that."

Police said no complaints had been received and, as the washing took place out of public view, no criminal offence was being committed.

Acting state premier Anna Bligh said the operation was running on recycled water and therefore did not break water restrictions - but neither she nor the government fleet would be using it.

"It seems a pretty weird and wacky way to get your car washed," she said. - AFP