Fiercely competitive bidding in a packed Holte Suite at Aston Villa FC saw £12 million raised in Birmingham’s busiest-ever auction.

SDL Auctions Bigwood’s July auction also attracted many remote bidders by phone, proxy and internet.

Gurpreet Bassi, partner and head of auctions Midlands, said:

“There was a fantastic atmosphere and some really intense bidding on several lots which saw very good prices achieved.

“Many lots sold for three times their guide price – which is a testimony to the competition in the room, online and by phone that we experienced.”

Two former police stations sold for a combined £865,000.

Sheldon Police Station sold for £465,000 from a guide price of £180,000, and Longbridge Police Station achieved £400,000 (guide price £400,000).

The Brook Meadow, at 85 Forest Way in Birmingham, sold for £258,000 (guide price £175,000).

The former Bournheath Methodist Church in Fairfield Road, Bournheath, Bromsgrove, sold for £204,000 (guide price £85,000-£100,000).

There were outstanding results for a number of lots including a workshop and retail space at 2a Imperial Road, Bordesley Green, Birmingham, which was offered with a guide price of £25,000. When the hammer fell after fierce bidding, it sold for £100,000.

Similarly, Flat 16, 46-48 Handsworth Wood Road, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, on a guide price of £10,000+ sold for £40,000.

A three bedroom, semi-detached house at 89 Aston Road, Willenhall, sold for £81,000 (guide price £19,000-£20,000).

And a three bedroom, terraced house at 69 Harrow Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, achieved £405,000 from a guide price of £100,000+.

Gurpreet Bassi said: “This was the busiest auction we have ever held and belies any recent suggestions of a slowing market.

“As well as huge numbers physically attending the auction, we also had record numbers of telephone, internet and proxy bidders, and so the message is clear.

“This was a great result for our sellers and we are already experiencing high interest in our next auction in Birmingham on 6 September.”

This brings the total raised by SDL Auctions nationally to £600 million since it was founded, with more than £65 million raised so far this year.