A Place in the Sun’s Laura Hamilton in awkward clash with couple over budget for home in Fuerteventura

A Place in the Sun is a programme usually filled with happy house hunters who are looking to trade in the rat race for a new life in a hot country.

But earlier this week presenter Laura Hamilton was involved in a rare uncomfortable moment with a couple who were hoping to buy a home in Fuerteventura, Spain.

Laura was speaking to Sarah and Simon from Gloucester about the kind of property that they were looking for with their budget when it got a bit tense.

The chat started off well - Sarah explained that as Simon had retired and their children are grown up, now was the perfect time for them to have a little adventure.

She told Laura: "I'm sure you will find us a fantastic property."

A Place in the Sun’s Laura Hamilton in awkward clash with couple over budget for home in Fuerteventura (Channel 4)

But it was when Simon told Laura that their budget was £200,000 that the atmosphere changed.

"Ideally we'd like to spend less, but that's our top budget," he said.

Laura then explained that due to the kind of property they required - two bedrooms, a sea view and a pool in the town of Corralejo - they might have to be flexible with their money.

She told them that a home similar to what they were looking for sold for way over their budget.

And that’s when it all got a little awkward.

A Place in the Sun’s Laura Hamilton in awkward clash with couple over budget for home in Fuerteventura (Channel 4)

Laura said: "Is there any wiggle room at all?"

Simon replied with a short “no”.

Laura went on: "I have got to let you know that a couple of months ago, a frontline two-bedroom apartment with spectacular views sold in Corralejo for over £300,000.

"I'll show you the best options as close to what you want, but I do need you to be realistic."

Simon replied: "What we're talking about is our ideal property and we recognise we would have to have compromise.

"I'm sure you will hopefully come up with compromises and then we'll have to decide which ones we prefer and which we don't."

Sarah then chipped in with very curt response: "If it was easy, we would have found it ourselves. We wouldn't have needed your help."

The couple ended up finding a sea view property that was priced over their budget after all - £241,228.

A Place in the Sun airs weekdays at 4pm on Channel 4 and catch up on All 4.