New Sea Life Centre for Merlin's Chessington Zoo

A brand new aquatic attraction is opening at Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo at the start of the 2008 season: a Sea Life Centre with more than 20 marine life displays housing species ranging from the tiniest shrimps and starfish to awe inspiring sharks and stingrays.

The 250,000 litre aquarium, which will be located within Chessington Zoo - will bring kids of all ages up close and personal with a wide variety of sea creatures, creating the illusion that the visitor is on display while the fish swim freely around. Interactive 'touchpools', fun exhibitions and a walkthrough ocean tank will provide a final 'wow-experience' as the fish swim overhead.

Mike Vallis, General Manager of Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo, explained "This is such an exciting development for Chessington and underpins our commitment to develop our amazing animal experiences in association with our new owners, Merlin Entertainments Group. Families visiting Chessington will now have an even wider choice of attractions to choose from - all in one place!"

The new aquarium is a compact, yet comprehensive aquatic experience that arrives in the UK from Nuremberg, Germany in November 2007. The sea creatures are being assembled at Sea Life's collection centre and quarantine facility in Weymouth, Dorset from where they will be transported to Chessington by road. Months of installation will mean the new attraction opens to the public as Chessington's season launches in March 2008 for the Easter Break.

Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo and Sea Life are both part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the leading name in location based, family entertainment that has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. The new Sea Life Centre at Chessington will be one of 26 Sea Life centres and Sanctuaries in eight countries across Europe.

About Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo

Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo, part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the leading name in location based, family entertainment that has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. The world's No 2 visitor attraction operator, Merlin looks to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 30 million visitors across the world, through its iconic global and local brands and the commitment and passion of its managers and 13,000 employees.

Bigger than Universal and second only to Disney, Merlin Entertainments brings together LEGOLAND, Madame Tussauds, British Airways London Eye, SEA LIFE, Gardaland, Dungeons - together with national brands such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo, Warwick Castle and Heide Park. All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative - and which have great potential for growth in the future. Visit http://www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

For further information please contact:

    Maria Hamilton or Soraya Haffar
    Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo,
    Leatherhead Road,Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE
    Tel: +44(0)1372-731552 or +44(0)1372-731558
    Email: maria.hamilton@chessington.co.uk or
    soraya.haffar@chessington.co.uk

    Nicola Pipe or Diana Rhodes
    Blue Zebra PR,
    The Power House, High Street,
    Ardington,Oxfordshire, OX12 8PS
    Tel: +44(0)1235-833005
    Fax: +44(0)1235-833006
    Email: nikki.pipe@bluezebrapr.com or
    diana.rhodes@bluezebrapr.com