Des O’Sullivan says that 2015 has been a year when records were broken for sales of art and sculpture.

USA: Pope Francis is a doll. No, really. Organisers of the Pontiff’s September visit to Philadelphia this week launched an online store featuring Papal plush dolls and bobble heads.

Next year’s Royal Ascot at York will be a five-day fixture with a Royal Procession on all days.

BOOKMAKERS Paddy Power were yesterday revealed as the new title sponsor of The Open meeting at Cheltenham in November.