MYSTERIES of the deep are laid bare as a revamped marine life attraction gets in the swim under a more tropical guise.

The former Sea Life Centre, on Grand Parade, Tyne-mouth, North Tyneside, which closed in the autumn, reopened after a £300,000 refurbishment as the Blue Reef Aquarium yesterday.

It is one of three centres bearing the Blue Reef name, following the purchase of the Newquay, Portsmouth and Tynemouth Sea Life Centres last July.

The Newquay Blue Reef opened last year and the Portsmouth version will open its doors after a £1m transformation in March.

Drew Cunliffe, Blue Reef spokesman, said visitors to the old Sea Life Centre would immediately notice the difference at Tynemouth.

"We are very much more than the 'big shark, bearing big teeth in a big tank' attraction. Basically, we have pulled everything out and totally re-themed it."

The Blue Reef was reopened by Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell and members of the aquarium's "junior board of directors", a group of local schoolchildren who will meet monthly to offer advice on improving the attraction.

It is open daily, from 10am with last admission at 5pm. Adults' entry is £4.95, with a £3.25 fee for children aged three to 14, and no charge for under-threes.