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 .

A first-time mum has told how she was allergic to her unborn baby after she developed an angry red rash all over her body .

Fetching a tiny carrot and a head-shaped snowball, a red squirrel builds the perfect snowman .

Lying angelically with a range of expressions etched on their tiny faces, little bundles of joy are innocently captured in their first few days in these adorable photographs .

FLOATING effortlessly on his back, this little otter laps up a rare glimmer of English spring sunshine .

A little boy whose brain grew inside his nose has been described as the 'real-life Pinocchio' by his proud mum .

Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .

A 20st mum-of-four who was dangerously obese has lost half her body weight after her son drew her as a BLOB at school .

A soldier who lost both legs and an arm in Afghanistan has found love with a blonde bombshell he met through his newfound passion for rally driving .

A teenage girl nicknamed 'spotty dog' by school bullies has embraced the hundreds of birthmarks that cover her entire face and body .

A BLIND man was battered with a brick in a sickening attack by two thugs .

THESE kingfishers prove no rod is needed as they go fishing for their dinner .