In God’s own county you can be sure of weird and wonderful news.

In Leyburn, North Yorkshire, a sale of taxidermy and natural history specimens on October 12 includes oddities such as a pelican skeleton which was used as a prop in the film Nanny McPhee.

Among the 250 lots are a hippo, wallaby, duck-billed platypus and a three-legged mallard duck.

Other quirky lots to look out for include the skin of an African rock python, the skull of a giraffe, and a pair of French lop rabbits said to be ‘boxing one another.’

Three-legged mallard duck, to be auctioned by Tennants
Three-legged mallard duck, to be auctioned by Tennants

Auctioneers Tennants have pointed out that all auction entries are sold in accordance with regulations relating to endangered species.

Going under the hammer will be 26 lots from The Countess of Lucan’s personal and family hunting and shooting collection.

In Ilkley, an auction at Hartleys on Saturday, September 24, includes a good number of rocking horses, including one dating from 1886 that is expected to fetch up to £4,500.

A rare FH Ayres rocking horse which could fetch up to £4,500
A rare FH Ayres rocking horse which could fetch up to £4,500

The horse, lot 276, is described as a “very rare extra large FH Ayres rocking horse, with shivel head, on safety stand.”

In nearby Skipton, home of trials biking champion Dougie Lampkin, locals will be cheering him on this Saturday as he attempts a crazy stunt - a non-stop wheelie around the 37.7 mile TT race course on the Isle of Man.

The tough Yorkshireman has been putting in months of preparation for the test, which will be broadcast live on the internet by sponsor Red Bull.

Multi-title winning trials bike rider Dougie Lampkin

Dougie expects it to take him just under two hours, travelling at around 18-20mph. He will only get once chance to get it right.

The feat of skill and endurance, dubbed Dougie’s Wheelie, will be broadcast online at 5pm, Saturday, September 24.

And finally, if you fancy meeting a very tall barman, head to York’s Nag’s Head which has appointed Mark Davey as its new manager.

At 6ft 8ins, he has to stoop down to serve customers.

Mark, who has previously worked at pubs in Halifax and Keighley, said: “I was definitely crowned the tallest landlord in Yorkshire when I worked at a pub in Halifax - that was never disputed.

“But I guess after 20 years and hitting every beam in every pub in Yorkshire - I think I’ve got used to it and I taken it in my stride. I’ve got the bumps and bruises to prove it.”