BLUE Planet Aquarium in Cheshire Oaks went green at the weekend to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

Staff donned emerald-inspired fancy dress and there was a special green conservation trail for younger visitors to follow throughout the aquarium, with a pot of gold at the end.

There was a series of themed talks and demonstrations highlighting the captive breeding work the aquarium undertakes with endangered species including the critically endangered Morelet’s tree frog and the pinstripe damba.

The aquarium also highlighted Feargal the sand tiger shark, which arrived at the aquarium from Dingle in Ireland two years ago.

Sand tigers are listed as vulnerable due to being caught up in nets and fishing lines and being hunted for their fins which are used to make shark fin soup.

Rebecca Collins of the aquarium said: “As well as celebrating St Patrick’s Day we also wanted to showcase some of the pioneering conservation work which is being carried out by our zoological team.

“To add to the fun, we also challenging our staff to come to work in themed fancy dress, with prizes on offer for the most original outfit and the greenest!”