Nearly one million pounds was raised in just two hours - through a radical sell-off of 26 Basildon Council homes.

About 300 people flocked to the auction to try to pick up a bargain property as 15 homes went under the hammer.

Originally 26 houses and flats were up for sale but 11 were bought privately before the bidding started.

Most sold for just £5,000 over the guide price set out by Dedman estate agents of Southend.

Some prospective buyers were upset a number had already been sold.

Roy Boswell, of St Michael's Avenue, Pitsea, was looking to buy a flat for his son but did not even bother going inside the auction room once he knew some had already gone.

He said: "I wish we could have been told in advance the properties had been sold.

"I had to rearrange various meetings to go along to the auction and it was a waste of time."

Bidding at the auction, which was held at the Cumberland Suite, Westcliff, seemed to start slowly for most of the homes but they all reached a good figure with only two not being sold as they failed to reach the reserve price.

Auctioneer Simon Mellish, of Dedman Property Services, said: "I was very pleased with the result.

"There were a lot of people here who were interested in the Basildon lots and most of the properties went for well above their reserve price."

Basildon Council has until the end of March to sell off 10 per cent of its homes to qualify for a £1.3 million Government grant.

A Basildon Council spokesman said: "The sale has raised £920,000 which will be used to improve existing council stock and is a major boost in terms of getting the Government grant."

Bidding war - house hunters packed the auction rooms in their search for a bargain

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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