The world’s tallest man has married a woman who is 25 years younger than he is - and two-thirds of his height. After a global search for a suitable bride, herdsman Bao Xishun ended up marrying a saleswoman from his home city of Chifeng in northern China.

Mr Bao, who stands at 2.36m (7ft 8.95in) tall, tied the knot with Xia Shujian, 29, several days ago.

The 54-year-old gained fame last year when he saved two dolphins by pulling dangerous plastic from their stomachs.

He used his long arms to remove shards that the animals had swallowed at an aquarium in Fushun, north-east China.

News of Mr Bao’s wedding has delighted commentators in China.

The Beijing News reported: “After sending out marriage advertisements across the world and going through a long selection process, the efforts have finally paid off.”

Mr Bao was confirmed as the world’s tallest living man by Guinness World Records last year.

He overtook the previous holder, Radhouane Charbib of Tunisia, by just 2mm.

Guinness World Records say Mr Bao was of normal height until 16 but then put on a spurt that doctors were unable to explain, reaching his full height in seven years.

From BBC news

The world’s tallest man has saved two dolphins by using his long arms to reach into their stomachs and pull out dangerous plastic shards.

Mongolian herdsman Bao Xishun was called in after the dolphins swallowed plastic used around their pool at an aquarium in Fushun, north-east China.

Attempts to use instruments failed as the dolphins contracted their stomachs.

Guinness World Records list Mr Bao, 54, as the world’s tallest living man at 2m 36.1cm (7ft 8.95in).

Recovering

Veterinarians turned to Mr Bao after attempts to extract the plastic shards at the aquarium in Fushun, Liaoning Province, had failed.

Mr Bao was called in after surgical instruments failed Enlarge Image

The mammals had lost their appetite and were suffering depression, aquarium officials said.

The heads of the dolphins were held back and towels wrapped around their teeth so Mr Bao could not be bitten.

He then extended his arm length of 1.06m into the mammals’ stomachs.

Chen Lujun, manager of Royal Jidi Ocean World, said Mr Bao was successful and the dolphins were “in very good condition now”.

Local doctor Zhu Xiaoling told the state media agency Xinhua: “Some very small plastic pieces are still left in the dolphins’ stomachs.

“However the dolphins will be able to digest these and are expected to recover soon.”

Mr Bao was confirmed as the world’s tallest living man by Guinness World Records last year.

He overtook the previous holder, Radhouane Charbib of Tunisia, by just 2mm.

Guinness World Records say Mr Bao was of normal height until 16 but then put on a spurt that doctors were unable to explain, reaching his full height in seven years.