Michaela Strachan to open virtual dive bell in The Lakes

TV celebrity, Michaela Strachan, is heading to the Lakes Aquarium, at Lakeside, near Newby Bridge, to officially open its stunning, new feature, The Virtual Dive Bell, at 1.45pm on March 29.

Michaela Strachan, formerly a high profile children’s presenter and now best known for her work on wildlife programmes like the current Animal Rescue Squad for FIVE, the Really Wild Show, Wildlife Rescue, Elephant Diaries, Shark Encounters and Country File, will be at the Lakes Aquarium between 1pm and 4pm. There, she will mingle with families, cut the official ribbon and offer her views on the brand new feature.

Michaela will herself experience a voyage on the Virtual Dive Bell, accompanied by winners of a story competition, organised for children in LA postcodes. These young news-hounds will be seeking to overcome a final hurdle to be declared the overall Super Six Junior Reporter of the Year.

After testing her nerves by coming face to face with hippos, crocodiles and sharks, she will be able to explore the cutting edge interactives that also comprise part of this feature, enjoying quizzes, games of skill based around wildlife knowledge, and other great, fun options.

She will then be free to try her hand at circus skills, in a circus workshop, as well as viewing a wide array of exotic creatures new to the Lakes Aquarium, including piranhas, marmosets, mudskippers and colourful, tropical fish.

This is thanks to the adoption of a global outlook that enables visitors to compare Windermere with lakes around the world, whilst moving through different Continents and suitably themed areas, which include a tropical rainforest.

Aquarium of the Lakes marketing manager, Katherine Beaumont, says: "Our new feature isn’t all about thrills and spills, even if these will offer memories lasting a life-time. It has a big wildlife and conservation element as well, which is why we felt Michaela Strachan was the perfect celebrity to be part of our family event."

All additional entertainment at the Lakes Aquarium, located off the A590, will be provided within the normal admission price of £8.50 for an adult, £5.50 for children and free for under 3s. Family tickets are also available and meals for visitors of all ages, based on local Cumbrian produce, can now be enjoyed in the new Oscars Restaurant, with its panoramic view of the lake.

New otter feeding times have also been introduced and families wishing to see Mia and Smudge get their food should be at the Aquarium at 10.30am or 3pm.