Extraordinary tales of everyday heroism have been illustrated beautifully by renowned US photographer Steve McCurry in the new 2015 Lavazza Calendar. The calendar which has been created in collaboration with the Slow Food movement, features twelve breathtaking pictures, capturing the spirit, strength and humanity of the Earth Defenders – women and men who protect their land and projects in Africa with passion and bravery. The proceeds from sales of the calendar and all donations will be contributed entirely to create 10,000 food gardens in African schools and villages by the end of 2016. (Photo by Steve McCurry/2015 Lavazza Calendar)

Beautiful, strange and occasionally alarming pictures from the shortlist for this year’s Wellcome image awards – which celebrate the very best in science photography and imaging – from an x-ray of a bat to a micrograph of a kidney stone. The exhibition opens on 12 March at three science centres and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. Photo: Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an Arabidopsis thaliana flower, also commonly known as thale cress. Some of the anthers are open, revealing pollen grains ready for dispersal. Arabidopsis was the first plant to have its entire genome sequenced and is widely used as a model organism in molecular and plant biology. Horizontal width of image is 1200 microns. Magnification 100x. (Photo by Stefan Eberhard/Wellcome Images)

The Apple l, the first Apple computer made by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976, is seen on display at Sotheby's on June 8, 2012 in New York City. Sotheby's called the computer “an exceptionally rare, working example with original Apple cassette interface, operation manuals and a rare BASIC Users' Manual”. (Photo by Andrew Burton/AFP)

Models at the Sophia Webster presentation during London Fashion Week Spring Summer 2015 on September 14, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

A photographer takes picture of an automotive model during the 36th Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, March 24, 2015. No automotive event is complete without the latest offering of high-end cars and motorcycles, and the obligatory accessories stationed at each booth: nubile, young auto-show girls in skimpy, skinsqueezing outfits. This year's Bangkok International Motor Show did not disappoint, attracting a larger horde of eager, flesh-seeking photographers than actual fans of automobiles. (Photo by Jurnasyanto Sukarno/JG Photo)

Australian model and designer Madeline Stuart, who has Down syndrome, acknowledges attendees after presenting creations from her label 21 Reasons Why By Madeline Stuart during New York Fashion Week in Manhattan, New York, U.S., February 12, 2017. (Photo by Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Neil Tuckett and Jamie Davidson, begin their attempt to drive a 1911 Model T Ford to the top of Ben Nevis on May 16,2011 in Fort William, Scotland. The challenge has been organised in memory of a pioneering Edinburgh car dealer Henry Alexander, who drove to the top of Ben Nevis to prove the ruggedness of the Model T. The original accent took five days with the route leading over boulders and through snow drifts. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

A Scots soldier has won a top award for his photos vividly depicting Army life in Afghanistan. Corporal Jamie Peters took the overall first prize for his portfolio in the annual Army Photographic Competition. Photo: Jamie's overall winning image entitled “Celtic Warrior” and shows Private Ross Cunningham from 1 Scots cleaning his personal weapon. (Photo by Jamie Peters/PA Wire)