Five former employees of the failed energy trader, on their uppers since the firm's collapse last year, have bared their remaining assets in a photoshoot for the erotic magazine Playgirl.

The five were picked from dozens of Enron ex-employees earlier this year, and are being paid an undisclosed sum - reportedly more than the $5,600 severance pay offered by the company.

The results of the shoot will reach Playgirl subscribers in October this year.

Billed as something far loftier than mere titillation, the feature will showcase a profile of the five men and their experiences at the company.

Asset stripping

The men showed no embarrassment over swapping their business suits for birthday suits.

"Enron made me bare it all," said Mark Zebrowitz, who worked as a production manger for Enron Oil & Gas in India.

"That's all they left me with."

Ronald Williams, who worked for the firm's broadband unit in Houston, said the word "Enron" looked worse on his CV than nude modelling.

"The only thing I am hoping for is future employment without the Enron stigma."

In the interests of sexual balance, Playboy magazine has also invited current and former female workers to pose for a future "Women of Enron" issue.