Odd and surprising stories from around the world.

VIOLENT EYE

Eyesight can be improved by playing violent video games, a study has found.

Getting immersed in on-screen mayhem may even stave off one of the key effects of ageing vision, research published in the journal Nature Neuroscience suggests.

The scientists from the University of Rochester in New York found practising violent action games that involve killing opponents enhanced contrast sensitivity.

FAKE TAN

A spoof website claiming to offer internet users a free year-round tan through their computer screens has attracted more than a million hits.

Computertan.com, set up two months ago to promote the work of a skin cancer charity, initially promises to ensure sun-worshippers "look great in the office" by transmitting ultraviolet rays into their homes.

But when users click to access a "free five-minute tan trial", bars from a sun bed appear on the screen with a message warning "Don't be fooled - UV Exposure Can Kill".

HIGH FLIER

A woman who escaped uninjured when she plunged over a 100ft cliff in her car while not wearing a seatbelt said she was lucky to be alive.

Barbara Tyreman, 60, of Eskdaleside, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, was leaving her home when she accidentally hit the accelerator of her Mini as she tried to reach for her seatbelt.

As the grandmother-of-two swerved to avoid hitting another car, the Mini "flew" over the edge of the cliff and came to rest 100ft below wedged between two trees.

TOAD-AL DEVASTATION

Thousands of poisonous cane toads met a poetic fate during a celebratory mass killing of the creatures in Australia.

Many of the animals' corpses were turned into fertiliser for the same farmers they had plagued for years.

Hundreds of participants in five communities across northern Queensland turned out for the state's inaugural "Toad Day Out" event.

TILL DEATH US DO PART

Dozens of couples who thought they were divorced have to repeat the process because judges' signatures were forged.

Police in the South American country of Guyana have opened an investigation after accusations that lawyers forged documents with help from court officials to expedite divorces, police spokesman Seelall Persaud said.

Marriages of those who remarried thinking they were divorced will probably still be recognised, said Doodnauth Singh, who recently retired as attorney general.

DUMB CRIMINAL

A retired US police chief said he was robbed by "probably the dumbest criminal in Pennsylvania" at a police officers' convention attended by 300 narcotics officers.

John Comparetto said that as he came out of a cubical in the men's toilet, a man pointed a gun in his face and demanded money.

Mr Comparetto gave up his money and mobile phone. But when the man fled, Mr Comparetto and some colleagues chased and arrested him.

PAINT-AND-RUN

A landlord was far from tickled pink after pranksters decorated his pub in a paint-and-run attack.

Landlord Les Smith arrived at The Prince of Wales pub in Ledbury, Worcestershire, which dates back to 1545, to discover that the historic inn had been painted pink.

His wife Elaine said: "We have no idea who did it. We've never had any bother with vandals and we keep a good house here - there is never any swearing or being abusive."

AGE DELAY

Detectives and forensic experts said they spent nearly a year carrying out checks to prove a killer who claimed to be in his teens was at least 20.

Juvinal Ferreira, who comes from Gambia, told police he was 16 when they arrested him on suspicion of murdering Elaine Walpole in Dereham, Norfolk, last April.

Police doubted his claim and embarked on a 10-month inquiry - using bone specialists and records found in Africa - to prove that Ferreira was an adult.

DISCO DANCING

The dance routines of Pan's People set pulses racing 40 years ago - and now the founding member is increasing the heart rate of housewives and pensioners at a village fitness club.

Dee Dee Wilde, 62, is running dance workshops in two Wiltshire villages which are proving popular with women who once longed to be part of the Top Of The Pops troupe.

The low-impact work-out is set to a soundtrack compiled by Ms Wilde's husband, composer Henry Marsh, and contains disco routines old and new.

PET HATES

Cats and dogs cause more than 86,000 serious falls in the US each year, according to a government study.

Incidents are relatively rare, accounting for about 1% of injuries from falls, and most cause only minor injuries, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

But they are a disproportionate hazard for the elderly who are advised to improve lighting, remove pet toys and use obedience training.

SCENTING DEFEAT

A court in Pennsylvania has ruled that a town can discharge a police officer because he lost his sense of smell in an off-duty motorcycle accident.

Collier Township said David Agostino's lack of smell created a safety hazard because officers patrol alone and need to be able to detect drugs, alcohol, hazardous materials and natural gas leaks.

He insisted he was able to perform the job and a sense of smell was not tested as part of the physical examination required to become a police officer.

NO FANGS

The head of a prestigious school in Boston, Massachusetts, is trying to drive a stake through stories that vampires roam the campus.

Lynne Mooney Teta sent a notice to teachers, students and parents saying the recent rumours were disrupting classes.

The school was founded in 1635. Its students have included Ben Franklin, Sam Adams and Louis Farrakhan.

PSYCHIC BOOST

A couple have received £4,500 of taxpayers' money from a government-backed scheme to help set up a business as psychic mediums.

Paul and Deborah Rees say they can put people in contact with dead relatives and offer training to clairvoyants.

They got the funding through the Want2Work scheme which helps people in Wales back into employment.

CATFISH SHOCK

A 14-year-old schoolboy received a shock when he discovered a large catfish on the banks of a canal.

Shawn Brown, who enjoys fishing, was walking along the Grand Union Canal in Leicestershire when he found the armoured suckermouth catfish.

The frightening-looking fish, which is usually found in South America, was 10in (25cm) long.

SPARKIE THE BUDGIE

A celebrity budgie which talked with a Geordie accent has become the inspiration for an opera, nearly 50 years after his death.

Sparkie: Cage And Beyond is being performed in Berlin by the world-renowned musician Michael Nyman and fellow artist and musician Carsten Nicolai, who also performs under the name Alva Noto.

Sparkie the budgie, who died in 1962 aged eight, had a repertoire of more than 500 words and eight nursery rhymes and became a national celebrity after fronting an advertising campaign for a bird seed, and making a record which sold 20,000 copies.

'DOG POO NEWS'

A leaflet aptly named Dog Poo News is being sent round 3,000 homes in an effort to cut the number of pooches fouling the streets, a council said.

The four-page newsletter produced by Nottingham City Council warns dog owners they could face a £50 fine if their pet is caught making a mess on the city's pavements.