HMS Ark Royal arrives in the Turkish port of Aliaga at the ship scrapping firm Leyal’s yard. The former flagship of the Royal Navy will now be turned into slabs of steel and sold by the Kilo. The 22,000 ton ship, which carried 22 aircraft and had a complement of 1,051, was retired five years ahead of schedule in 2011, a high-profile casualty of the government’s controversial defence cuts. Tears were shed when, after more than a quarter of a century of service, Britain’s most famous warship left Portsmouth last month and began her final solemn journey.The mighty aircraft carrier was sold to ship recycling firm Leyal for £2.9m, where it now faces the ultimate indignity of being taken apart like a scrapped second hand car.
THESE kingfishers prove no rod is needed as they go fishing for their dinner .
PERCHING on top of a gate, this young barn swallow waits patiently for his mum to return with dinner .
A transgender woman has beaten the bullies after spending £25K on surgery to become a beauty pageant queen .
A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness .
Say cheese! This cheeky chappy isn’t in the mood to live up to his scary reputation as he is pictured here cracking a killer smile as he goes about his daily business .
Some parents would gasp at the thought of their children playing with a toy gun, but these Russian children are actually encouraged to take up real arms .
Pouncing down on top of his twin brother, these two snow leopard cubs practice their kung-fu moves .
If you're ever struggling to find a use for your old VHS tapes you might want to take a tip from this innovative artist .
A lazy tree frog, tired of hopping along a branch, chooses the slowest form of transport when it jumps on top of an unsuspecting snail .
ARMED with her camera, bikini and flippers, this brave diver goes swimming with SHARKS .
A couple celebrated tying the knot with a spectacular Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding reception .
She was the 18th century celebrity who made men faint in awe of her beauty by her very presence .