PURSE strings are tightening across the UK with people and businesses struggling to stay afloat as the immense impacts of coronavirus take hold.

But this has not stopped eight Brighton parking spaces selling for a staggering six-figure sum at auction.

The concrete spots at Braemar House in Norfolk Road fetched an eye-watering fee of £145,000 when they were sold by Britain’s largest independent regional land and property auctioneers, Clive Emson, earlier this week.

The company had five ballroom sales planned in March across the South East but was forced to cancel them all due to the UK lockdown being put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

But the events were still able to go ahead, being held online or via broadcasts instead.

The car parking spaces were one of 159 lots sold.

James Emson, the company's managing director, said: "It was a week few of us will ever forget – we took the decision to take the rest of the auction online in order to comply with the spirit of the just-announced lockdown.

"Even though there were a handful of us for the broadcasts, with social distancing, the health of staff had to come first.

"We were naturally apprehensive about whether bidders would have an appetite for purchases online at such short notice, but they proved that property and land sells whatever the economic weather. Indeed, some lots generated bidding wars.

"The online element of the campaign generated more than £4million in sales, with an overall sales figure of £13.5m – a sales percentage of 70 per cent.

"Given the challenges, this was an incredible result and I pay tribute to my colleagues for doing everything they could to keep the virtual show on the road in the most demanding of circumstances.

"We now look ahead to the next series of sales, which will all be held online."