A popular seaside town in Yorkshire was brought to a standstill this week after a huge beast arrived in town.
The slightly overweight, self-centred animal went viral for being a w**ker over New Year - and for once, we're not talking about Piers Morgan.
This particular mammal was Thor, a massive walrus who hauled himself onto the harbour slipway in Scarborough, drawing thousands of locals out to see him.
People were so concerned for his wellbeing, the local New Year's Eve fireworks were even cancelled so as not to disturb him, The Manc reports.
And unlike his viral walrus counterpart Freya - who was euthanised for posing a 'threat to human safety' after people got too close to her - Thor was left in peace until he was rested enough to continue his journey north.
Thor the walrus. Credit: Twitter
His little holiday in Scarborough even led to the local New Year's Eve fireworks display being cancelled, after the British Divers Marine Life Rescue advised that the loud noises could 'distress' the walrus.
Instead, crowds flocked down to see the huge creature hanging out in their town - and got to witness him... ahem... pleasuring himself in front of onlookers.
A video viewed almost four million times was captioned: "There's a walrus lost in scarborough. So hes just decided to knock one out in front of us all on the pier. no fucks given."
Someone else sharing the video wrote: "A walrus named Thor stopped by Scarborough to masturbate and rest on his journey in the North Sea, prompting the city to cancel its New Year’s Eve fireworks to avoid disturbing him. This is the energy we need in 2023."
Other more family-friendly videos show him scratching his nose, having a slow wander about, and generally chilling out by the water.
Since he moved on from Scarborough, he was spotted relaxing on a pontoon up in Blyth, Northumberland, but moved on again early this morning.
An incredible Twitter thread by Bethan Clyne, a marine mammal medic with BDMLR, detailed the 'gruelling but rewarding' 14 hours they spent monitoring Thor the walrus in Scarborough.
Her updates included that he remained 'relatively unphased and comfortable' despite the huge crowds who came out to see him.
Bethan wrote: "As Medics, we also devoted a large amount of our time to the public. I really enjoyed talking and educating 100's upon 100's of the interested, respectful members of the public. Some were so kind to offer drinks, food and encouraging words to keep us going in the rain and cold!"
She added: "After hours of him teasing us (I thought he was going to rest again) I was so excited and relieved when he finally made his way back to sea! We sprinted to the end of the harbour where we watched him surface a few times before disappearing into the darkness."
Thor the walrus is now expected to make his way up north, but may pause again for another break (hopefully he keeps it PG this time) somewhere along the Scottish coastline.
Featured image: TikTok @andysheadz / Twitter @BDMLR
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EasyJet is paying for passports for newborn babies to help families take their first holidays
EasyJet has announced a new scheme where the airline will cover the cost of a baby’s first passport, allowing young families to take those memorable first holidays.
The company has announced that it will pay for a child’s passport (£66.50) when parents book an EasyJet holiday, making it a little easier to start those travel adventures sooner.
Research conducted by the airline and easyJet Holidays has found that 75% of parents agree the move would make a holiday with a baby feel a bit more affordable.
Their surveys also found that four in five parents believe a baby’s first holiday is a landmark family moment, and more than half called it one of their proudest parenting milestones.
But parents also said that they needed an average of four attempts to get an approved passport photo of their baby (have you tried making a newborn follow instructions…?).
easyJet holidays has reported – even this early in the year – a 10% increase in infants travelling this year compared to 2025.
And now, the thought of a holiday with your newborn is more tempting than ever, with the offer to get a free passport for your baby from easyJet.
To claim it, and save £66.50, you can use the code FIRSTPASSPORT until 26 November – find out more HERE.
easyJet Captain Kate West, said: “We carry millions of families across Europe every year, and we know that travelling with a baby brings a whole series of exciting firsts.
“We want to make travel as easy and accessible as possible for everyone, including young families, so they can enjoy all the experiences and memories that travel can bring.
“We hope that covering the cost of a baby’s first passport goes a small way towards making that first family adventure a little easier and gives our youngest travellers a warm welcome to the world.”
Stuart Wright, Customer Director at easyJet holidays, said: “Travel has a unique way of bringing families together, and a baby’s very first holiday is often one of those moments parents remember for years to come.
“By covering the cost of a baby’s first passport, we’re helping more families start making those memories that little bit sooner.”
Leeds City Council granted £1.6m to tackle rough sleeping by Christmas
Clementine Hall
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd January 2023 
