Central animals

Two police spaniels have arrived in South Korea to help protect the country's buildings from termites - which feed on wood causing millions of pounds worth of damage to historic buildings.

Olivia and Oxo have been trained to sniff out drugs and explosives, and their sense of smell is thousands of times more sensitive than a human. It's more effective than thermal imaging equipment. They track down the insects by detecting their hormones.

Termites have become a problem in South Korea thanks to rising humidity levels which create a perfect condition for the insects.

Apparently most of their commands are non-verbal - so the dogs don't need to learn Korean!

The Big Butterfly Count will be running for the next three weeks, and organisers are hoping as many people as possible will take part, in their gardens or out for a stroll in the countryside.

With 59 different species of butterfly here in the UK, there are plenty to see, and Leicester local David Attenborough is getting very involved.

To take part - follow this link

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service specialist rescue team were training today - using a WOODEN horse. They were practising rescuing a horse from the water - using ropes and a hoist.

The group Pro-Test, which says it is "standing up for science", says "without animal research, medicine as we know it today wouldn't exist".

The Medical Research Council says that the use of animals in medical research has made an "important contribution" to advances in medicine and has helped improve the health of both humans and animals.

"In accordance with the law, research using animals is only undertaken when there is no alternative research technique and the expected benefits outweigh any adverse effects."

"Whilst it is acknowledged that animal models are not a perfect model for humans, the use of animals in biomedical research remains essential. Alternative techniques cannot always reproduce the complexity of a living creature."

It says research using animals is essential in developing treatments for conditions like strokes, AIDS, and cancer.

Demonstrators will mark World Day for Animals in Laboratories today in Nottingham by calling for the end of experiments on animals. The organiser says:

Animal lovers will march through Nottingham city centre today to mark World Day for Animals in Laboratories.

600-700 campaigners are expected to attend to raise awareness of what they call the "outdated science of animal experiments".

They want the government to stop experiments on animals.

Sam Slater from Leicester posted this video online - of her cat caught in the act!

Apparently Gordon the cat burglar regularly returns home with his spoils - laundry lifted from the neighbour's washing line!

This video shows him struggling through the cat-flap bearing his latest treasure - a sock he proudly lays out for his owner.