World's tallest man saves dolphins

Bao Xishun, the world's tallest man, helped to remove dangerous shards of plastic from the stomachs of two dolphins in China yesterday, according to state media.

The Mongolian herdsman was called in to utilise his extremely long arms after attempts to remove the plastic with tools failed.

An aquarium in Liaoning province noticed that the dolphins had lost their appetite and were becoming depressed.

Mr Xishun managed to remove the large shards and staff at the aquarium considered the exercise to be a great success.

Zhu Xiaoling, a local doctor, told the state media agency Xinhua: "Some very small plastic pieces are still left in the dolphins' stomachs.

"However, the dolphins will be able to digest these and are expected to recover soon."

Mr Xishun is over seven foot and eight inches tall, with arms that span well over a metre. He is officially recognised as the world's tallest man by the Guinness Book of World Records.