WITH their robotic movements and pristine uniforms, these are the sexy traffic girls of North Korea that are becoming iconic figures in the secretive state. Instead of using traffic lights to control the stop and go flow of the cross-roads, attractive women dressed in perfectly crisps and identical outfits dangerously stand along in the middle of the road on a small platform. Displaying riveting focus, they are only allowed to turn counter-clockwise, directing traffic with forceful and halting movements. They have been the subject of photographic study for many years but French photographer Eric Lafforgue, 49, captured these moments during six trips to the Marxist country.
LOCATIONS bursting with vibrant greens and chestnut browns, these photographs capture the peaceful English countryside in all its glory .
At least three people have been killed and more than 100 injured, some seriously, in two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon .
IN THE not so MISTY MOUNTAINS of Wiltshire, there lies an abandoned hobbit house .
A makeup artist from the West Midlands magically transforms herself into famous cartoon characters using body paint .
A striped marlin means business as it spots lunch and spears a small fish .
Peering curiously into a basket hanging off the arms of a snowman, this little squirrel appears fascinated by the snowy figure .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
VENTURING into the ocean with self-made spears and nets, the fishermen of Zanzibar put their lives on the line when they catch food for their families .
With a dust covered coat hung from a wardrobe door and a pair of glasses left on a shelf, a remote farmhouse lies abandoned in the Welsh countryside .
Like a scene from a fairytale, THOUSANDS of fireflies create an enchanting glow as they dance in a forest .
AN OLD ENGLISH cottage packed full of history and valuables has been left to rot .
LIKE A living balloon this baitball of sardines is ready to burst when threatened by a pointy nosed sailfish .