Hastings aquarium to see a £1m regeneration

More than £1 million is to be invested in the transformation of Hastings aquarium.

Blue Reef Leisure has announced that it is to invest more than £1 million to turn Hastings aquarium into a top visitor attraction.

The company has acquired Underwater World from Hastings Heritage and will use its expertise from running three other aquariums in Newquay, Portsmouth and Tynemouth to develop the centre.

As part of the deal Blue Reef acquired the town's Smugglers Adventure attraction and will continue to operate the 1066 Story.

Ian Cunningham of the leisure company said that he was "absolutely delighted" to have completed the deal and "very excited about the future".

"We plan to completely transform the former Underwater World site over the winter and re-open it to visitors as the Blue Reef Aquarium in time for Easter," he added.

"As well as a total redesign we will also be turning the giant underwater walkthrough tunnel display into a stunning tropical coral reef which will be home to hundreds of brightly coloured fish, stingrays and black-tip reef sharks."

The new aquarium will feature a daily programme of informative talks and feedings as well as new displays showing marine animals in naturally-themed environments.

Travel Insurance - Holiday Extras insured over 750,000 people last year and were voted BEST Insurance provider and BEST website by the travel trade.