A POLICE investigation has been launched after the new Lord of Brighton vanished without paying for his title.

The Argus reported last week how the title Lord of the Manor of Brighton-Lewes had been snapped up by a mystery bidder at auction for £13,500.

But the man vanished from the sale without paying and the police have now been called in to see if any crime has been committed.

The man, who also successfully bid for 11 other titles worth up to £31,000 each, disappeared after the sale at the Ironmonger's Hall in the City of London before he had handed over a penny for what he had bought.

Now Strutt & Parker, the estate agents holding the sale, have said the titles will go under the hammer again next April.

Previous owner James

Johnson-Flint had bought the title, which dates back to Edward the Confessor, two years ago as an investment. It

comes with the once

profitable right to demand a levy from fishermen landing herring in the area, which was abandoned in 1862.

Mr Johnson-Flint, who runs a manufacturing firm, was unavailable for comment today, but before the sale he told the Argus: "I am hoping for about £15,000 for the title. People can have a lot of fun with it.

"You have the right to put Lord of Brighton-Lewes on your credit card or passport and you never know what hidden rights might come with it."

Chris Eubank bought the title of the Lord of the Manor of Brighton for £45,000 a few years ago.

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