Blue Reef Leisure has appointed a manager to its new Harbourside attraction in Bristol.

Alex Page, the former head of commercial operations at Bristol Zoo Gardens, is to take charge of the new attraction when it opens in October.

The £4m re-development of the former Wildwalk building will showcase native and tropical marine and freshwater creatures from around the world in naturally themed habitats.

The centrepiece of the aquarium is a large coral reef housed within an ocean display. The reef will house angelfish, giant humphead wrasse and visitors will be able to enjoy undersea encounters in an underwater walk-through tunnel through the reef, from inside a glass cavern and via bubble-helmet viewing points.

Page said: "This really is an amazing opportunity for me and I am delighted to be taking charge of such a fantastic new development.

"Harbourside is a wonderful location and the new aquarium will attract visitors from across the region and throughout the country. It will also provide a fabulous new attraction for Bristolians of all ages to enjoy."

Blue Reef acquired the Wildwalk site from the At-Bristol science centre in April 2008. At-Bristol has leased the space to Blue Reef on a 66-year deal after it was forced to close both the Wildwalk and the Imax cinema in April 2007, due to poor attendances.

Blue Reef Leisure is owned by Spanish visitor attraction group Aspro.