One of Europe's first inland coral reefs, is to be built near Manchester's Trafford Centre.

The venture, submitted for planning permission by reefLIVE this month, will enable visitors to swim, snorkel and dive with shoals of tropical fish, stingrays and sharks in a reef tank six times the size of a normal public swimming pool. Other facilities will include an underwater observatory, mini aquarium, theatre and classroom, shop and café area.

Managing director of reefLIVE, who is also founder of Sea Life Centres, said: I hope this exciting attraction will provide the local area with an entertaining and educational experience like no other.

The reef will be constructed from artificial coral, and is designed to be more than just a leisure attraction. ReefLIVE hope to attract schools, colleges and special interest groups to promote an understanding of the marine environment.

One of the first investors in reefLIVE is Peter Mountford of Broadmount Investments Ltd who is also on the board at Honeycombe Leisure plc and Health Media Group plc. ReefLIVE will be a high quality, interactive attraction, he said. We plan to open at least five reefLIVE centres in the UK and then more in mainland Europe.