Merlin Entertainments is preparing to open its newest Sea Life Centre, the Loch Lomond Aquarium near Balloch in Scotland, at the end of the summer.

Designed by architect Kevin Howe and built by Northern Ireland-based Mivan, the £3.5m aquarium will have 26 displays containing mainly native Scottish species and is the first new Sea Life Centre built in the UK for 10 years.

Attractions at the aquarium will include touch pools, ray tanks and a tropical ocean tunnel.

Julia Griffith, attraction manager, said: “I have worked for the company for 10 years and during that time we have launched sites all over Europe.

“It has been great to work on our fist Aquarium in Britain for a long time – especially as the company started with the Seal Sanctuary in Oban.”

The Loch Lomond Aquarium will be located in the existing £15m Drumkinnon Tower, which also houses a 350-seat cinema and a café.

Merlin currently owns and operates 17 Sea Life centers across the world, attracting more than 4 million visitors every year. Details: www.merlinentertainments.biz