ODD NEWS GLOBAL: Norway Knights a Penguin

UK new service report:

A penguin at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland has been knighted by the Norwegian Army.

Nils Olav (that's the penguin) is already a Colonel-in-Chief in the Norwegian King's Guard, as well as being their mascot. Over the years, the famous king penguin has been promoted up through the ranks to attain his lofty status.

The Guardsmen visit Nils every few years while they are in Edinburgh performing at the city's Military Tattoo.

At a ceremony today, with the permission of King Harald V of Norway, he was granted a knighthood.

Nils Olav first became an honorary member after a young lieutenant called Nils Egelien first visited the penguins at the Zoo in the 1970s, liked what he saw, and made one of them a Lance Corporal.

The animal has received medals for long service and had a 4ft bronze statue built in his honour. Of course, when we say that he's had a long service, it should be pointed out that the penguin honoured today isn't actually the original Nils Olav.

Nils Olav Mark I died in the 1980s, and was replaced by a two-year-old penguin at the Zoo, who became the new Nils Olav.

David Windmill, chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo, said: 'We have a long-standing history with the Norwegian King's Guard and it is something we are extremely proud of.

'It's an honour that they take the time to visit us and we are all looking forward to welcoming them on Friday.

'Edinburgh Zoo is famous for its king penguins and Nils Olav is definitely the most famous of them all.'

Darren McGarry, animal collection manager at Edinburgh Zoo, added: 'Nils always recognises the Norwegian Guardsmen when they come to visit him.

'He loves the attention he receives at the ceremony and takes his time inspecting the troops.