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.
Southern England, the south-west and west Wales have been warned to expect more wild weather, with heavy rain and high tides possibly leading to coastal flooding and travel disruption over the weekend .
PAWS for thought as you feast your eyes on this rare bear bathing session .
FISTS fly as two gorillas take each other on in a dramatic battle .
TWIN SISTERS from Australia have taken their sisterly bond to the extreme by spending £150,000 to look IDENTICAL .
A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness .
A lively lemon shark grins into the camera and showcases his impressive teeth .
MAKING himself at home, this little snail perches happily on top of this frog's head .
A woman who was addicted to GREGGS has lost 9st after giving up her favourite food .
DIVING boffins fired harpoons into 30-foot-long whale sharks in a bid to put the sea-beasts on Google Maps .
LIFTING their heads high and bumping beaks, these aggressive pelicans clash over fish .
A US firefighter has battled osteoarthritis and four hip replacements to break the world paddleboarding record .