IT'S been a month of animal magic for our photographers. Everything from tiny piglets to a bull on stage and a cat which survived a five storey fall, we have captured all creatures great and small.

But, of course, July wasn't just about the animals so here we present our pick of all the best news pictures taken by our team of photographers during July 2007. 

This is the first in a series of A Month in Pictures created by M.E.N picture editor, John Jeffay. 

Please enjoy the gallery and come back again next month.

Let us know what you think of the pictures below.

And go to the picture editor's blog for news and comment on pictures and more.