A young mum has told how a phantom pregnancy almost destroyed her dream of having a second child. Pretty Tracie Shannon was desperate to have another baby with her husband James, 25, but was devastated to learn the "bump" growing inside her was actually a kind of tumour. Having already endured two miscarriages in her quest to provide her first son Taylor, three, with a sibling to complete their little family, Tracie was overjoyed to learn she was pregnant again. But despite experiencing all the usual signs of pregnancy, from a swollen tummy to morning sickness, her hopes were crushed when she went for a scan at 11 weeks. Tracie, 26, from Cirencester, Gloucs, had been eager to see the first scan of her unborn child, but instead a "snowstorm" appeared on the ultrasound monitor
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 .
ONCE A doctor’s surgery, family home and office, an array of medical equipment is scattered throughout this abandoned home .
A DETERMINED great blue heron holds on tightly to its prey as the furry gopher attempts to wriggle free .
Going for long rides through vast fields together, this twosome share an unbreakable bond .
HUNDREDS of hot air balloons decorate the sky above Turkey as the rising sun illuminates the spectacular scenery below .
A toddler has shrugged off death an incredible 10 times thanks to his parents who revive him with the kiss of life every two weeks .
A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness .
A little brown bear cub shows his doting mum that she is always on parent duty as he uses her as a scratching post .
BASKING in smug satisfaction, a confident squirrel gives a wink to the camera .
A diver explores the crystal clear waters of the Silfra canyon in southern Iceland, which is the only place on Earth where you can dive or snorkel between two continental plates .
Families in an Indian slum put their lives on the line by living on top of an ACTIVE railway track .
Pint- size Maci Winters only has one wish this Christmas - to be as tall as the other boys and girls on the school playground .