Are you an April fool? You are not alone.

It is the one day of the year that companies and the media are given free rein to dream up the impossible and most outrageous news stories.

You might even wonder, could that happen?

Here is our round-up of the best:

Leading taxi app Hailo introduces new 'Piggyback' feature

Leading the way in taxi innovation, cab app Hailo today launches its brand new feature to help city dwellers get around more easily.

Using Hailo's new Piggyback function from their smartphone, users will see one of Hailo's specially trained human piggyback carriers arrive in a matter of minutes to transport the passenger to their destination.

With the ability to dart in between traffic, Hailo's Piggybackers have been recruited for their athleticism and knowledge of the city, as well as allowing passengers to enjoy a 360 degree view of their surroundings.

The newly recruited Piggybackers come in a range of sizes and shapes, with users able to hail a Piggybacker at the tap of a button.

Tennent's Lager announces plans to supply homes direct via T-Taps

Tennent's Lager today announces plans for a new service that will ensure punters looking for a quick pint need only go as far as their own kitchen sink.

The scheme, called T-Tap, will allow lager fans to pour themselves Scotland's favourite pint straight out of a tap in their own home.

Lager will be piped direct from Tennent's world famous Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow, giving those who opt in to the service the options of hot water, cold water or Tennent's on tap at their kitchen sinks.

The first phase of T-Tap will see homes situated within two miles of the brewery getting lager on tap by the summer.

Tennent's hopes that fans will be gushing about the new service across the country, with plans to roll out from the borders up to the Highlands of Scotland by 2018 already well advanced.

Tennent's are confident that the service will also be popular overseas and are currently in talks with council officials in Europe about the launch of 'Le Tap' in Paris, and 'Das Tap' in Berlin.

Jane Cannon, Tennent's Lager Marketing Manager, said: "Everyone loves a pint at the pub, but if you can't make it out and still fancy a cold one, the T-Tap is the perfect solution.

"The idea of Tennent's straight from a tap in your home is something we've been working on for a while now and we're thrilled to be rolling out the first phase in Glasgow 2015.

"Research revealed there was huge support for the T-Tap, and we're confident lager fans will go with the flow and sign up!"

Scottish panda finally expecting a baby

Pandemonium has broken out at Kelburn Castle and Country Estate with the news that their panda is expecting a baby - before Edinburgh Zoo.

Lord Glasgow, Patrick Boyle and his son David, The Viscount of Kelburn, are both delighted and look forward to welcoming the Kelburn Panda baby in June.

David Boyle said: "We are already receiving calls and emails from all over the world; it really is exciting to have the first pregnant panda in the UK!"

Plans are already being put together to prepare for the summer birth and Kelburn Estate continues to grow its specialist bamboo to keep even the most difficult food cravings in check.

The Kelburn Panda is played by a local Largs lady, who is expecting her first baby on June 27.

And, having taken the costume character oath of conduct, she cannot reveal her true identity except to say she has regularly played the role of the Kelburn Panda since 2011.

The mystery panda impersonator said: "I have been bamboozled with the amount of interest my pregnancy has generated, and it's great to be the UK's first pregnant panda!"

World first: Domino's rolls out driverless delivery vehicles

Pizza firm Domino's has today unveiled the world's first driverless pizza delivery vehicle.

Customers placing orders through the Domino's website and mobile app will soon have the option to be delivered by the world's first autonomous delivery vehicle, the Domi-No-Driver.

The new fleet of driverless pods will be rolling out across the UK from 1 April 2015.

When an order is placed, the customer's location can be tracked by the Domi-No-Driver for the entirety of its journey via GPS - at home or on the go.

This enables the on-board P.I. (Pizza Interface) system to calculate the most efficient route of delivery.

Whilst in motion, the Domi-No-Driver's H.U.N.G.A.R. system (Hunger Detection And Ranging) will detect real time obstacles, ensuring maximum safety for road users.

Should issues any of driving etiquette arise, an LED screen will flash up with messages such as 'Sorry', 'Apologies' and 'What am I like?' so other drivers will know they really mean it.

Upon arrival at the delivery destination, the Domi-No-Driver will send a notification to the customer's smartphone or tablet containing a unique passcode which customers can input to access the Heatwave 2.0 order compartment and collect their pizza.

Due to its patented driverless technology, the vehicle is able to carry 400% more pizza thanks to 100% less driver.

Simon Wallis, Marketing Director at Domino's Pizza UK, said: "Whilst driverless vehicles once sounded like science fiction, it's now within our grasp - and harnessing this innovation for pizza delivery opens up a new world of opportunities for us.

"Working with the latest technology helps to ensure our customers have the best possible experience, so we're really excited to bring these amazing vehicles to streets across the UK."

 

The Blackpool Tower announces plan for UK's largest Helter Skelter

The Blackpool Tower is set to make history as it unveils its plans to build the UK's longest Helter Skelter around the attraction itself.

The slide, measuring a total of 622m, will be a record-breaking feat of engineering skill featuring a state-of-the-art carbon fibre frame and reinforced with titanium stilts.

Covering the entire 158m height of The Blackpool Tower, the adrenaline-busting experience will begin with a specially adapted 'Sliding Door' on the observation deck of the iconic building.

Not only structurally impressive, the Helter Skelter will also boast an array of design features including a bright red resin coating, and advanced speed system that will allow sliders to control the pace of their journey using electronic controls.

Visitors will also be able to take advantage of audio headsets, which will provide information on the key landmarks visible on the way down.

Kate Shane, General Manager at The Blackpool Tower, said: "Plans for this incredible addition to the attraction have been years in the making - what better way to enjoy the stunning Lancashire coastline than by taking an exhilarating ride on this giant Helter Skelter?

"The Blackpool Tower is such an iconic and loved building, and we believe the slide will only add to its 'wow factor!"

Construction on The Blackpool Tower's giant Helter Skelter will begin in Summer 2015

Macmillan launches Push A Sprout Up A Mountain With Your Snout challenge

Macmillan Cancer Support has today announced the launch of a brand new fundraising event: the Push A Sprout Up A Mountain With Your Snout challenge.

The new event which is due to take place on June 1 was inspired by Macmillan fundraiser Stuart Kettell, 49, who last year spent four days pushing 22 brussels sprouts to the summit of Mount Snowdon with his nose.Participants will be asked to pay an entry fee of £25 and raise at least £406 - which pays for a Macmillan nurse for two days - in order to take part.

Those with sniffers strong enough to reach the summit will see their names join Stuart in Macmillan's wacky fundraising Hall of Fame.

With an eye for an unorthodox challenge, fundraiser Stuart has previously completed various mad hat fundraising challenges, including seven marathons in a giant human hamster wheel and levitating in mid air for a week.

He said: "There really couldn't be a more knee grazing, neck aching, but all-round fantastically fun challenge to throw yourself in to.

"My top tip would be to breathe through your mouth rather than your nose as sprouts can be a bit whiffy.

"And I started my training with 'bigger' foods in my back garden - my neighbours thought I was mad when they saw me on my hands and knees, pushing a Satsuma round with my nose!"

Craig Fordham, Head of Challenge Events at Macmillan, added: "In the first year the event will be based around Mount Snowdon in Wales but we hope that it will eventually expand to include mountains the world over.

"We're hoping a date in the spring is far enough away not to cause a Christmas shortage of everyone's favourite festive veg.

"We picked brussels sprouts because they are our favourite colour: Macmillan green!"

Macmillan is urging members of the public who are looking for a fundraising challenge with a difference to sign up to Push A Sprout Up A Mountain With Your Snout challenge.

Visit www.macmillan.org.uk/sproutchallenge for more information on how to get involved, raise funds and make a vital difference to Macmillan's aim of ensuring that no one has to face cancer alone.

Pizza Hut nose how to make a menu

Pizza Hut Restaurants reveals its latest innovation, the Scratch and Sniff menu, inviting customers to select meals by following their favourite food aroma on the specially designed menu.

Can you detect the difference between BBQ Chicken Wings and Garlic Bread with Cheese and Bacon? Do you know your Meat Feasts from your Hawaiians? And, surely, we should all be able to identify the sweet smell of the new Cookie Dough dessert?

With no images or words to describe menu items, The Scratch and Sniff menu invites customers to succumb to their senses and select their meals entirely by smell.

It will be available for customers at Pizza Hut Restaurants nationwide from today. Twelve different aromas have been infused into the special menu, which includes Pizza Hut Restaurants' classics as well as items from the new, recently launched national menu including BBQ chicken wings, rack of ribs, popcorn shrimp, onion rings, garlic bread with cheese and bacon, unlimited salad bowl, pepperoni feast, meat feast, BBQ Americano, Hawaiian, hot cookie dough and Pepsi.

Kathryn Austin, Head of Marketing at Pizza Hut Restaurants said: "We always strive to excite and innovate the customer experience - this is at the heart of our brand.

"Over the last year we've redesigned restaurants nationwide, developed the world's first Subconscious Menu and launched a brand new menu with items that have never been offered by Pizza Hut Restaurants before.

"We're thrilled to be launching our latest unique menu innovation, the Scratch and Sniff menu. Who nose where it will lead?"

 

Argos to launch Mars mission

Argos is the first UK retail business set to sign up to a new retail outlet based on Mars One, the first permanent human settlement in the solar system set to launch in 2026.

The Argos hub would be located inside the new Mars One colony, offering residents everything they need for their new life on the planet.

Housed in inflatable living units which include bedrooms and living areas, astronauts will be able to furnish their own personal interior space by choosing from a specially curated range of Argos products from technology and small domestic appliances, to home accessories and textiles.

Bertrand Bodson, Chief Digital Officer, Argos, said: "Part of our journey to become a leader in digital retailing involves innovating and pushing boundaries and the Mars One colony really is the ultimate opportunity to lead retail of the future.

"With bedrooms, working areas, and living room space, astronauts will be able to lead typical day-to-day lives in the colony and we're really excited about being able to help them make their living space their own.

"We expect they will want the very latest in audio, visual and computing technology, plus access to the right home products to help them recreate a touch of Earth style on Mars."

Follow the Argos Twitter feed for further information @Argos_Online

Coffee shop Costa, is trialing a new service from April that lets customers nod off and have a power nap when they hit an afternoon slump.

With sales figures highest between 3pm and 4pm, the time when people are most in need of a coffee 'pick-me-up', Costa is offering customers a chance to book a 15-minute snooze.

Specially imported, Japanese inspired Ostrich Pillows will turn tables into relaxation zones.

Customers will be able to place their coffee order, let staff know what time to wake them using the specially designed table clocks and take a nap, before being gently nudged back into consciousness by a friendly Barista with their favourite Costa drink.

Clair Preston-Beer, Chief Operating Officer at Costa, said: "Getting a good night's sleep isn't always an option with busy and hectic lifestyles.

"Daytime power napping has been scientifically proven to boost productivity and relieve stress during the working day.

"Firms like Google and Nike already provide nap rooms for staff. With this in mind, we are bringing a similar concept to UK high streets with our 'Costa and a Kip' service."

Costa already has a reputation for comfort in its coffee shops spending millions a year to make their stores a home from home.

The addition of Ostrich Pillows on loan for a sneaky seated snooze is a logical extension of the firm's ethos.

"People come to our stores to relax and take time out of their busy day. They tell us they enjoy the comfortable surroundings so we have taken the ability to relax at Costa to a whole new level. Although it's only a trial at the moment, feedback so far has been very positive," said Clair.

Costa predicts the combination of a short nap followed by an irresistible coffee will sustain the nation's energy levels for at least three hours, well past the end of the working day.

Read: Top 10 best April Fools pranks in media history