A rare Ferrari has been sold at auction for a record price of £22.84 million.

The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta, one of just 39 models made and regarded as one of the greatest Ferraris, went under the hammer at Bonhams’ auction in Carmel, California.

A huge crowd watching the bidding broke into applause at the confirmation of the final price, which outdid the previous record for a car sold at auction. That record was set at Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed auction in Sussex last year when a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R F1 Racer sold for $30 million (about £18 million).

Royalty rules in the baby stakes

It seems that royalty reigns with parents when it comes to naming the baby, for William, Harry and George (and Theon and Tyrion) were some of the most popular names given to baby boys last year.

Overall, Oliver and Amelia were the most common names given to babies born in England and Wales in 2013, but the latest lists also indicate that shows such as fantasy drama Games Of Thrones influence choices – 11 girls and six baby boys were named Theon and Tyrion respectively.

George rose two places to become the 10th most popular boys’ name last year, behind Harry in third place and William in eighth, according to the Office for National Statistics, which publishes the annual lists.

Walk-on role for rescue dog

TV presenter Paul O’Grady helped a rescue dog land a walk-on role in Friday night’s Coronation Street – including a visit to the Rovers Return.

The broadcaster went to the set of the soap with an American bulldog called Krystal after he spotted her star potential while filming an edition of his popular ITV series For the Love of Dogs.

O’Grady hopes the TV exposure will help her find a new owner after spending months at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London. Viewers see Krystal emerging from the pub, accompanied by handler Ali Taylor, and crossing the road.

Comedy signs help save lives

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced the winners of a contest to come up with humorous yet valuable safety messages for electronic highway message boards.

The contest was inspired by a message posted on highways in May that encouraged drivers to “Use Yah Blinkah” – or turn signal – when changing lanes.

The winners were “Make yah Ma proud, wear yah seatbelt” to encourage belt use; “Keep Calm and Drive On” to prevent road rage; and “Put down the phone! Your LOLs and OMGs can wait” to fight distracted driving. The winners get gift cards for petrol stations and restaurants.

Santa surprise for New Yorkers

Santa Claus has paid an early visit to New York, much to the bafflement of residents and tourists.

Father Christmas, along with 15 Rockettes dressed as rag dolls, stood on a Radio City Music Hall porch as 12 Rockettes dressed as toy soldiers marched on the street below to perform the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.

It was a six-minute promotional event – complete with a belching snow machine – for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which starts on November 7.

Road turns red after truck spill

A truck spilled its load of what was described as “cranberry sludge” on a Boston-area highway, painting the road red and slowing traffic during the morning commute.

The truck shed its load on Interstate 95 North in Woburn at about dawn on Thursday, forcing the closure of one lane and a turn-off.

Clean-up crews used shovels and hoses to remove the slippery mess and then sanded the area, but the highway retained a distinct reddish hue.