Beckhams 'quitting the UK for good'

David and Victoria Beckham have reportedly put their Hertfordshire mansion on the market as they prepare to quit the UK for good.

According to the Sunday Mirror, the couple are selling their Sawbridgeworth family home - dubbed 'Beckingham Palace' - for £18m after deciding to relocate to America permanently.

A source said: "Frankly they cannot see themselves ever returning to make London their full-time base. The children are settled, speak with American accents and David and Victoria are immersed in the laid back Los Angeles way of life. They love it there - they're well liked, have plenty of friends and feel it's their spiritual home.

"Beckingham Palace takes a lot of looking after. They have a petting farm with miniature animals, swimming pools indoor and out and huge grounds. Then this summer, the time they spent in Europe was at their South of France chateau. Sawbridgeworth just sits there empty.

"It made them realise it was pointless having it. Victoria's design studio is in Battersea so when she's over for business she stays in Claridge's Hotel as it's more central. They spend a small fortune on London hotel bills and have a house an hour away sitting empty."

The pair are allegedly looking to buy a London townhouse for their occasional visits to the city.