Hirst Buys 300 Room House

Artist Damien Hirst has bought a 300-room mansion in the Cotswolds to house his personal art collection. Hirst, who is famous for preserving animals in formaldehyde, intends to restore the run-down Grade I listed Toddington Manor, near Cheltenham. The 40-year-old - who reportedly paid £3m for the property - is also expected to live there with his wife and their three sons. The 124-acre Gothic-style manor was built in 1820 and has stood empty for 20 years. His current ambition is that it will serve as a museum to house his extensive collection of his own and other artists' works. For the full story - click the title Irish Art