THIS week 15 years ago, a North-East taxidermist was delighted after snapping up a lion at an auction.

Adrian Johnstone, of Barnard Castle, County Durham, bought the fullsize lion for £3,000.

The taxidermist, who was based on High Northgate, Darlington, plans to sell on the beast for profit via the Internet.

During his 25-year career, Mr Johnstone said he has stuffed tigers.

Mr Johnstone said at the time: "Stuffing big cats is basically the same principle just on a larger scale.

"The law is much tighter now because you used to be able to stuff a zoo animal if it died legally."

The lion, whose former home was in a zoo, was advertised for sale in a trade magazine.

It was behind the bar of a pub in Barnsley, which was adorned with a variety of rare regalia.

Also that week, it was double trouble for Duo the two-nosed dog.

Not only did the Staffordshire bull terrier have two noses, he was also looking for a new home.

Potential owners were being put off because of the loveable dog's harelip.

The three-year-old was lost or abandoned by his previous owners and was handed to the Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter by police.

Staff at the centre in Benton, Newcastle, who named him Duo because of his double nose, were having problems finding a home for the well-trained dog because of his unique appearance. Michelle Pyle, from the centre, said: "We have had a few people come and see him and say he's a freak.

"Duo is not a freak, he is just unusual. Not many people can say they have got a dog like that."

Duo's double nose was caused by a condition which in humans is called a harelip, but rarely occurs to such an extent in animals.

Ms Pyle said: "It is very unusual. We have had a vet working for us who said they have never seen anything like it before."