Brick Art: The Mona Lisa (and other masterpieces) made out of Lego

In Leonardo Da Vinci's original Mona Lisa, the painting's subject stands quietly alone, hands folded, with that famously enigmatic smile gently playing around her lips.

But in a bizarre new version of the timeless masterpiece - made entirely out of Lego - the expression has become a cheerful smirk while her carefully shaded skin tone has been replaced with a uniform sheen of yellow.

This rather odd take on the classic artwork is the idiosyncratic hobby of Italian artist Marco Pece, who uses the iconic plastic bricks to recreate versions of the world's great paintings.

But whether his creations do justice to the originals or not, the former banker has become an internet hit with his instantly recognisable Lego versions of the classics.

Tens of thousands of people from around the world have viewed the modern interpretations of the classic works made out of the simple plastic bricks.

He posts his work on Flickr under the pseudonym Udronotto.

The former bank worker has recreated Da Vinci's Last Supper, with Christ and his disciples suitably attired and bearded.

While he has done his best to capture Mona Lisa's famous enigmatic smile his use of the distinctive yellow-faced Lego characters to recreate Grant Wood's American Gothic is considerably more effective.

Marco, 45, has also redone Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks in his own inimitable style.

But Marco has also come right up to date by recreating contemporary Scots artist Jack Vettriano's Bluebird classic, complete with a Lego car.

The artist gave up his job in a bank three years ago to concentrate on his Lego interpretations of existing masterpieces.

He said: 'I wanted to combine my love of art with a modern and unusual expressive technique.

'These reconstructions are done with a lot of attention to detail using Lego materials.

'The various stages of reconstruction are photographed individually then combined on a computer.'

He added: 'A reconstruction in Lego usually takes me about nine days in total.

'I have taken part in five exhibitions and have sold several photos of my work and this is because of the success I've had on the web.

The Beer Bottle Phone

For those who just can’t live without a cold one within reach at all times, the latest in the long line of food and drink themed phones is the Bud phone.

Now, as one sharp commentator pointed out - have one of these in your room and your friends will never be in doubt of your taste in phones, however your taste in beer will be in question - well, brand squabbles aside, this phone does everything any other novelty phone does and for $11.99 is pretty decent value. Just imagine pulling it out at the bar… And whilst talking on the phone and driving may now be illegal in the UK, do it with this one and you can guarantee a night in the slammer.

The boy with 11 tumours who was sent home to die... and survives after grandparents' alternative therapy treatments

After he developed an aggressive form of childhood cancer in 2006, Connah Broom's body came under relentless attack from the disease.

Eleven tumours spread from his neck to his knees and his case appeared hopeless.

In 2007, doctors told his family there was nothing more they could do. They said they should take him home to enjoy his final months.

But Connah's family refused to give up hope. His grandparents began treating him with alternative therapies and, remarkably, he survived.

Latest scans on Connah, now aged seven, show that ten of his 11 tumours are shrinking, have no blood flow and may be dead.

The family are preparing for new scans which they hope will reveal the last tumour is also in retreat.

His grandparents are convinced their treatments, including a strict organic diet and a daily sauna, are helping him beat his disease.

But cancer experts are more sceptical, warning that the tumours could return at any moment.

Last night they cast doubt on whether the alternative therapies had made any difference.

Connah lives with his father Chris, 27, and his grandparents Debbie, 53, and Jim, 56, in Gronant, North Wales.

Debbie Broom said: 'There are times when we've broken down and thought "Why Connah?" and wanted to lash out at someone. But we've coped by turning our frustration into positive energy to help him.'

The family's nightmare began in August 2006 when Connah was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma at Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool.

Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the nervous system that can spread round the entire body. Doctors found tumours stretching from his neck, through his chest near his heart, in his stomach close to several organs including the kidney and intestine, and down his left leg.

Mrs Broom said: 'They told us Connah had 11 tumours which were at the most advanced and aggressive stage. It was like a bolt out from the blue.

'Connah had been suffering sharp pains in his stomach now and again for about a year. But our local surgery could not find anything wrong. We never expected something like this.'

He was put on chemotherapy for seven months, and doctors considered surgery. But they concluded the cancer was too widespread and close to vital organs for it to be successful.
Mrs Broom said: 'A doctor told us to take Connah home and enjoy our remaining time with him.'

They were given the option of putting Connah on an experimental drug called Tapotecan – but were told it could damage his kidneys and heart, meaning he would have only a 50 per cent chance of surviving the treatment.

The Brooms decided the risks were too high. Instead, they turned to alternative therapy.

After surfing the internet they decided on an organic diet and filtering his water, after reading it would help reduce harmful toxins in his body.

The results, according to Mrs Broom, were amazing. 'Once we did this, Connah stopped becoming ill,' she said.

However, experts say levels of toxins in food and drink are unlikely to be high enough to cause cancer.

The next alternative treatment the Brooms deployed was reiki. The family had set up a website for the 'Connah Appeal' and among those who sent messages of support was a man who described himself as a reiki healer.

It is claimed that this Japanese healing works by focusing electromagnetic energy at the frequency needed to destroy cancer cells. However, no trials have shown it can reduce tumours, although in some people it can help reduce stress and pain.

The healer now carries out weekly sessions at the Broom family home. Connah's retired grandfather went back to work for an oil company to help his son, a chef, raise money.

They also sold some property to raise funds. The thousands raised have largely been spent on trips to Poland to have scans not available on the NHS.

They also went to a cancer clinic in Mexico which offers a sound and light therapy not available in the UK or even the U.S.

Sono Photo-Dynamic Therapy is a controversial technique, which is rejected by mainstream medical science. It involves Connah swallowing a capsule containing algae.

He is then placed under light of a certain wavelength, which apparently 'activates' the algae to create a powerful oxidant which can kill the cancer.

After visiting Mexico, they rebuilt the equipment at home and now repeat the technique every night.

Mrs Broom also uses an ultrasound machine she got in Mexico to rub over the affected areas after she was told this would also help.

This is followed by laser therapy, which is meant to act like a low dose of radiotherapy.

Then Connah has a sauna, to 'sweat out' the toxins. The entire procedure takes two and a half hours.

Mrs Broom said: 'We're not under any illusions and we know that all this could change at any time. Each day is like the turn of a card. You don't know what hand you're going to be dealt.

'The Power Above has been watching over Connah and we just pray every day that his good health will continue and he will keep getting better. We can't pinpoint exactly which part of what we are doing is making Connah so well, so we'll just keep doing it all.

'If what we're doing stops working, then we'll look for another treatment. We'll never give up doing everything in the world to help our little boy.'

But experts are sceptical that the alternative therapies have had much effect. They say cancers often go into remission for unexplained reasons – and can come back.

Dr Julie Sharp, of Cancer Research UK, said: 'Two thirds of children with neuroblastoma can be successfully treated but unfortunately some types of the disease are more difficult to treat.

'Some parents of children that don't respond well to treatment decide to seek alternative therapies and often these are still in an experimental stage.

'It's important to remember that all proven treatments for neuroblastoma are available in this country and that the standard treatment here is equal to anywhere else in the world.'

Connah's GP Dr Eamon Jessop said: 'The thing with this cancer is that it can suddenly flare up again and when it comes back, it can come back rapidly.

'The family are aware of this and, if it does happen, we will have to look again at whether traditional medical treatments should be considered.'

But he added: 'When it was decided two years ago that his tumours were inoperable, we would have expected just a short time before he became very ill.

'But sometimes unexplainable things happen that we have to call a miracle. The excellent care given to Connah by his grandparents can only have helped him. They really are amazing people.'

The koala who cooled down by taking a cold bath in a bucket

It may not be the most common of bear necessities.

But when faced with a scorching heatwave, this incredibly cute koala decided a bath in a large white bucket filled with icy water was the only way to cool down.

Unfortunately, there is a sad story behind the endearing picture.

This baby koala had actually been abandoned by its mother and had to be rescued from the scorching heatwave that has wrecked havoc across Australia.

Tracey Young found him huddled beneath a her veranda, shaking and looking very sick.

'The mum had become distressed and disorientated by the heat so she left the baby on its own,' she said.

'They're normally up the tree together, in a pair, and we see them all the time.

'I had to scoop water up in my hand to get it to drink and at first it wasn't very responsive.

'Eventually it realised the water was in the bowl and it just climbed in itself.

'The kids, being very protective, circled the koala until the wildlife lady came and took it.'
The koala is being cared for by animal welfare staff until it is strong enough to be released.

Mrs Young, who lives in Maude, a town between Melbourne and Geelong, said its mother had returned to their backyard, apparently waiting for its baby to come back.

Bizarrely, the little koala has now become an internet star after pictures of it in the bucket were emailed around the world.

The heat has had a devastating effect on Australia's wildlife.

With temperatures in some parts of the country staying above 40C for six days in a row, many animals have perished while others have needed the attention of wildlife officers.

Britain hit by biggest and weirdest Snow Day 18 years

* Britain hit by biggest snowfall in 18 years
* Anger as London bus service is totally cancelled
* One in five workers take the day off
* Brothers found dead on Mount Snowdon
* Thousands of schools closed due to treacherous roads
* Huge tailbacks despite warning drivers should stay home

Britain's worst snowfall for 18 years is set to last all week - and could cost the country's economy up to £3 billion.

Around one in five workers stayed at home today, according to a poll, and many are likely to fail to show up for work tomorrow.

Those who did make it into work this morning faced a battle to get home tonight after the Arctic weather caused widespread chaos.

Roads were blocked, airports closed, train services stopped and almost 3,000 schools closed due to the massive snowfall.

With roads blocked, much of London's bus service still out of action and many underground lines suspended, it is feared some in the capital may end up stranded.

Business chiefs estimated the cost of the bad weather to the economy would be £1.2billion but that it could rise to £3billion by the end of the week.

Hat tricks

Paramilitary police recruits stand still as they balance hats on their heads during a training session at a military base in Hefei, Anhui province, China.

Aquarium Telephone Booth in France

Benoit Deseille and Benedetto Bufalino have transformed a regular telephone booth into a functioning aquarium for the Lyon Light Festival in France.

Camper van hangs on cliff edge as Italian Job gone to Colorado

It must have been a long and sweaty wait inside the van for a tow truck.

But Daniel Lyons didn’t really have the option of popping out to stretch his legs.

The 34-year-old was discovered by rescuers sitting in his swaying Dodge camper van, 170ft from the ground. The van had plunged down the rock face at the Colorado National Monument in the U.S. in a scene reminiscent of the film The Italian Job.

Terrified Daniel had desperately tried to balance the weight of the van to prevent him from plunging to certain death.

But in his confusion he climbed on to the back seat - which was already hanging off the cliff.

Rescue crews who raced to the scene of the accident found Daniel cowering in the swaying vehicle.

They managed to manoeuvre him from the van and up the cliff face before he was airlifted to hospital.

Mr Lyons was treated for minor injuries.

Park superintendent Joan Anzelmo said: ‘It’s truly a miracle. Another few inches or a foot and that car would have continued on to the base of the canyon. No one survives those types of accidents.’

Father shoots his wife, five children and himself dead after being fired from hospital job

A father shot his wife and five young children to death, then committed suicide, after the couple were fired from their hospital jobs.