Renowned artist Alexander Stoddart has donated a rare, hand-coloured plaster bust of Pope John Paul II to St Vincent's Hospice in Howwood.

The bust will be auctioned at the Renfrewshire hospice's forthcoming Heart & Soul Ball on August 19 in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.

The bust, which was charitably donated to St Vincent's Hospice by the sculptor, is the last of only five copies in the world.

Other copies are in The Pope John Paul II centre in Washington DC, the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Chicago, and one other remains in the sculptor's private collection.

This remaining cast will never be replicated, and St Vincent's Hospice will benefit from every penny of the proceeds of its auction.

Mr Stoddart said: "It was my absolute determination to make sure that the few remaining copies of this bust be disposed of solely to charitable ends.

"I am delighted St Vincent's Hospice, a local centre of care and compassion, will benefit in some degree from the sale of this work's last available copy."

Brona McGee, clinical services manager of the Day Unit at St Vincent's Hospice, said: "We are overwhelmed by his generosity in donating this piece."

And Kate Lennon, newly-appointed chief executive at St Vincent's Hospice said: "We are extremely grateful to be given this wonderful piece to auction."

It costs £5000 per day to run the hospice andMs Lennon said that in this current financial climate, the challenges faced in raising funds are more and more difficult.

If you would like to attend the Heart & Soul Ball (tickets £60) or would like to bid for the bust, in person or by phone on the evening, contact Lorraine Valentine on 01505 705635 or e-mail lorraine.valentine@svh.co.uk