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.
A diver attempts to control rising numbers of lionfish by feeding the venomous species to Caribbean reef sharks .
A woman with a rare condition that means she collapses every time she laughs fears she may have passed the rare illness onto her young son .
Surveying its surroundings, a tiny harvest mouse climbs the stem of a dandelion .
A schoolboy is the envy of his friends due to a one in 14-million condition which means he can only eat FRY-UPS to survive .
A nine year old girl nearly lost her leg after doctors initially misdiagnosed her bone cancer as a pulled muscle .
A little brown bear cub shows his doting mum that she is always on parent duty as he uses her as a scratching post .
If you had to scrape the snow off your car this morning or slip-slide your way into work over icy pavements spare a thought for these little critters .
SAT with his arms folded and a cross look on his face, this Gorilla looks like he's had enough of the Christmas holidays already .
A woman was diagnosed with cancer after a cyst left her so bloated medics were convinced she was pregnant .
These adorable pictures show the moment two cuddly red panda cubs take their first look at the outside world and are weighed for the very first time .
STARING eagerly into the camera, this little toad is full of curiosity .
A panic stricken kitten that got her head stuck in a car tyre has been freed by quick thinking RSPCA staff .