First, a pickled shark. Next up for Damien Hirst, his ‘white elephant’ manor house

The artist's 3m Cotswolds pile, which has remained empty and unrenovated since 2005, has been described as an eyesore'

When Damien Hirst bought a historic manor in the Cotswolds he had grand plans. The crumbling 19th-century Toddington Manor, which the world's richest artist bought for 3m in 2005, would be restored to its former glory, turned into his family home and be a spectacular gallery for his personal art collection.

But years 17 years after its purchase, the property remains uninhabited and covered in scaffolding and tarpaulin. Locals have branded it an eyesore," a white blob" and a blight on the countryside".