AN ARTIST who has had two 9ft-tall sculptures stolen from her home believes this is the first time an Irish sculptor has experienced such a “huge loss”.

Anti-Tesco campaigners have launched an online advert narrated by comedian Alexei Sayle which urges people to support local shops.

Tesco offered its rivals no respite today after buoyant Christmas sales kept the supermarket giant on course for annual profits of more than £2bn (€2.9bn).