These are the fascinating pictures of miniature table sculptures molded around bonsai trees that take up to a painstaking 18 months to create. Japanese illustrator Takanori Aiba, 58, has built the intriguing scale models of windmills, lighthouses and even the Michelin Man.He delicately uses craft paper, plaster, acrylic resin, paint and plastic to create the host of sprawling miniature communities that wrap around the tiny trees.Following his work as an illustrator for Japanese fashion magazine POPYE he has spent the last nine years producing the detailed mini worlds.The creations take at least three months to construct with his Ice Cream Package Tower taking an astonishing 18 months work. Since 2003, he has made eight models, with 10 more planned over the next few years.
An adorable baby girl was born with a heart-shaped birthmark on her forehead - after being conceived on Valentine's Day .
MOUTH OPEN wide, this little stoat appears to be in mid-song as he belts out a tune for his onlookers .
A floating market in Indonesia is bursting with vibrant colours as wooden rowing boats loaded with fruit and vegetables crowd the river .
As sunlight cascades through its vibrant stained glass windows, every inch of the Nasir-ol-Mulk Mosque bursts with colour .
A photographer has captured stunning photographs of the Milky Way above picturesque landscapes in the UK and Italy .
IN a galaxy not so far away lies a magical display of lights that could be the latest image from NASA .
MASKED intruders look sinister but really they are a gang of urban exploring pranksters .
Leaping out of the ocean, a group of gentoo penguins fly through the air before landing safely on an iceberg .
WRAPPED up in classy headscarves, these adorable pooches are the picture of sophistication .
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 .
Oday she is a picture of health - a happy, smiling child, enjoying life to the full .
A man who was stabbed ten times in a frenzied and random attack has told how, two years on, he is too scared to leave his house without his STAB VEST .