BRITISH kingfishers love to cool off by creating a splash. During the sizzling summer days these kings of the river enjoy hunting for fish AND indulge in a dip at the same time. Stunning pictures show how the charismatic kingfisher dive bombs at speeds of up to 25-miles-per hour to catch their little fish prey. Pre-press operator Mark Bridger, 44, from West Malling in Kent took to the pictures while he was out rambling in the countryside. There are between 5,000 to 8,000 breeding pairs of kingfishers living in Britain at any one time. They live in the whole of the British Isles except west Ireland, the Outer Hebrides and the edge of northwest Scotland
An aerial view of flooding in Gloucestershire .
A BLIND man was battered with a brick in a sickening attack by two thugs .
STARING eagerly into the camera, this little toad is full of curiosity .
A family of foster carers are facing bankruptcy and homelessness after they signed up to a Government scheme to renovate their house to be used for disabled children's short breaks .
From squids to Star Wars, these flipping marvellous creations are pancake portraits .
FLEXING his muscles and staring straight at his opponent, this bodybuilding squirrel is the nuts .
Animal rescue volunteers have told how a cat riddled with cancer was forced to ripped off its own ears after it was abandoned by its owners .
AN ARRAY of colours, from pinks to blues and oranges, fill the night sky to create an amazing collection of interstellar patterns .
SQUABBLING over the last piece of grain, these hungry squirrels are determined to stock up on as much food as possible .
EAGERLY BITING his nails, this little squirrel is clearly nervous of looming predators as he searches for his meal .
SURROUNDED by divers, a hungry green sea turtle enjoys being the centre of attention .