Visitors to the Blue Planet Aquarium will be amazed by its wizard new attraction – scorpions from the Harry Potter film series.

The bizarre-looking creepy crawlies will be helping visitors face their fears at the Ellesmere Port attraction later this month.

The collection of tailless whip scorpions will feature in a series of events at the site in Cheshire Oaks during the half term holidays.

Visitors may recognise the exotic arachnids from a scene in Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, when Mad-Eye Moody used the creature to demonstrate one of the unforgivable curses.

Screen grab of the tailless whip scorpion with Mad-Eye Moody in Harry Potters Goblet of Fire

Another species on display during the week of events, that runs from February 14-22 will be giant vinegaroons.

Originally from the US and parts of Mexico, they get their name from their ability to emit a vinegar-like acid which they use to scare away predators.

A giant vinegaroon, one of the new arrivals at the Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire Oaks

Although both species resemble scorpions, they are actually also related to spiders.

Blue Planet Aquarium’s Tom Halton, who helped assemble the cast of critters, said: “A few of the species really do resemble something from your nightmares but are actually harmless towards humans.

“The whip scorpions really are fascinating as they are neither scorpions nor spiders but somewhere in between the two. As well as the tailless whip scorpions and giant vinegaroons, people will be able to hold things like flat rock scorpions, giant African train millipedes, Chile rose tarantula, pink toe tarantula, royal pythons, frogs and cockroaches.

“We are also hoping to have a giant centipede on display, but visitors won’t be able to handle them as they are potentially harmful.”

The Face Your Fears event is taking place at the Blue Planet Aquarium from Saturday February 14 to Sunday, February 22.

For more information visit www.blueplanetaquarium.com or call 0151 357 8804.