LATEST: An auction of soul legend JAMES BROWN's belongings has raised over $850,000 (GBP425,000) - which will pay off the late singer's outstanding tax bills.

The Sex Machine hitmaker's possessions were sold to fans and celebrities alike who were eager to own a piece of music history.

Brown's former business managers, Buddy Dallas and Alford Bradley, had tried to halt the auction after learning the cash raised would go to his estate, but a judge ruled on Monday (14Jul08) that the sale could go ahead.

The top lot was a Black cape embroidered in metallic thread with the words James Brown, which fetched $47,500 (GBP23,750) - more than double its estimate.

The leader of the Late Show with David Letterman's band, Paul Shaffer, bid $32,500 (GBP16,250) to win a medical bracelet which stated that Brown was a diabetic.

Brown died of heart failure on Christmas Day in 2006 at the age of 73.