SIR Martin Sorrell's global advertising group WPP revealed better-than-expected trading and cheered this year's sporting events as a "bonus" in the face of Brexit fears.

The group saw like-for-like net sales rise by 3.2% in the first three months of the year, beating its 3% target, while it said its performance across the board was "well ahead of budget".

WPP again raised concerns over the impact of the EU referendum in June but said the “visually stunning” Rio Olympics, the Uefa Euro Football Championships and the US presidential election would boost marketing investments