MPX5088280: When will we ever learn? A seal lies dead on a bright blustery beach not far from families enjoying their summer holiday. It is a seaside snap from Norfolk that should shame the Government. Experts say our seals are being killed off by a deadly distemper virus. And their immunity is being lowered by the millions of tons of chemical waste being poured into the North Sea every year. The pollution crisis is highlighted by the case of the poison-packed ship Karin B, which was turned back from British ports yesterday. Each tide brings more victims to the shores where seals used to delight children as they splashed and played. Their bright eyes are dimmed and their shiny coats dull in death. Paul Vodden of Greenpeace forecast, "We are talking about an ecological disaster, perhaps the biggest ever to hit Europe's wildlife." A man out walking his dog finds another seal hit by the killer virus. September 1988 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5088286: A preview of Xmas displays: Many reindeer are being prepared in a taxidermist's workshop at Camden Town which will be sent to stores all over the country for Xmas scenes, and small animals for cribs in churches. The Zoo's giant Panda will take a part. The kiddies of the district look in at the open door and watch the progress in their local Zoo. November 1946 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5088306: Hello, It's Hercules: The little fellow taking a bow before the lens of cameragirl Elsa Mayo is Hercules, the baby tortoise. It was four years ago that mother Juno was introduced to proud father Achilles, in the garden of solicitor's clerk David Cutlack, at Kemsing, Kent. But tortoises are slow, even when it comes to doing the what comes naturally. And it wasn't until July this year that Juno was finally spotted digging a hole and laying three eggs. It is very rare indeed for tortoises to breed in Britain's cold climate. But Mrs. Joy Cutlack put the eggs in a tin of sand in here airing cupboard. She said: "We had given up hope of them hatching when Hercules suddenly surfaced." He weighed in at just a quarter of an ounce and now, a month later, is matchbox-sized, slowly blossoming in a heated plant propagation frame. Hercules comes under the parental scrutiny of Achilles and June. November 1974 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5087936: David Smith, a bright three year old from Pattingham, Staffordshire as you can see Santa arrived early this year for David bring a shining new Go Kart. However it is no ordinary Kart but Davids only method of transport for he is a victim of Spina Bifida and has no real use in his legs. The Kart has been specially designed and made by apprentices at a large Wolverhampton, Engineering Factory and was presented to David this week. The Kart which is used by David inside and outside his home is even fitted with a reverse gear. Now Home Office Officials are interested in producing the Kart in Prisons and Borstal Institution and it should sell for approximately £20. December 1969 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5087960: As part of Liverpool's keep death off the roads campaign this Christmas a low loader is touring the city with a smashed up car aboard. To give the campaign a send-off, two beauty queens and a personality girl drank a toast in milk to wish the campaign success. The beauties were the National Dairy Queen, Miss Gaynor Lacey, 20, the National Railway Queen of British Rail, Miss Marilyn Pope, 18, and Miss Littlewood, Miss Ida Bailey, 24. December 1969 / Bridgeman Images