The resilience of the regional property auction market was once again demonstrated at Bigwood's March sale which saw 70 per cent of the 91 lots sold for a total of £7 million on the day.

And even after the hammer dropped for the final time, negotiations were continuing to sell a number of properties that did not reach their reserve in the auction room.

Bigwood director Jonathan Hackett said they were very pleased with the result and that a number of properties had sold for double their guide prices.

A five-bed home with a three room coach house at 45 Anderton Road, Moseley, Birmingham, which had been heavily trailed in the media for its connections with Jensen's motor racing heritage, sold at the second time of asking for £395,000 against a guide price of £375,000.

And belying the theory that Birmingham city centre apartments are not auction material, Apartment 65, The Blue Apartments, Broadway Plaza, with an annual rental of £8,400, sold for £104,000 against a guide price of £80,000.

But the real stars of the auction were some of the smaller properties, a number of which went for over twice their guide price.

A three bedroom property at 215 Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, achieved £95,000 from a guide price of £60,000.

A number of ground rents in Hollywood, near Birmingham, and Harborne in Birmingham, went for way over their reserve, achieving £25,000 and £30,000 respectively.

Land adjacent to 460 Ridgacre Road West in Quinton, Birmingham, sold for £16,000 against a guide price of £5,000.

The site of the former Hob Moor School in Stechford, which was offered with a guide price of £325,000, was sold for £390,000.

And a vacant, single storey, derelict residential property at The Lodge, 2a Moor Green Lane, Moseley, Birmingham, which had attracted dozens of viewings, sold for £155,000 against a guide price of £60,000.

Two residential investments in New Ifton, Oswestry, Shropshire, and one in Wigston, Leicester, all sold, attracting strong interest.

A vacant freehold detached bungalow with development potential subject to planning permission - The Bungalow, Church Road, Elford, Tamworth, Staffordshire, was listed with a guide range of £150,000-£175,000 but sold for £210,000.

A number of parcels of land sold on behalf of West Midlands local authorities achieved figures way beyond their original reserves.

Land measuring around 610 sq yards adjacent to 38 Clay Lane in Oldbury achieved £44,000 for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council after being offered with a guide price of £25,000 to £30,000.

Another plot in Clifton Street in Cradley Heath sold for £35,000 against a guide price of £15,000-£20,000. A Smethwick site achieved £80,000 (guide £40,000), with land in Whitehall Road, Great Bridge, Tipton, selling for £84,000 (guide £40,000) and a plot in the same road for £90,000 (guide £40,000).

Jonathan Hackett said: "There was fierce bidding over a number of the lots and we are seeing further keen interest after the auction which should lead to further sales in the coming week."

The auction included property on behalf of Birmingham City Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and Wolverhampton City Council.

For a catalogue and for further details contact Bigwood on 0121 456 8800.

The next Bigwood sale will take place on Wednesday, May 26, also at Villa Park.