Greater Manchester's only free aquarium a hit with families this school holidays

It's been there for decades but Greater Manchester's only free aquarium is attracting more families than ever.

With the cost of living impacting on households and this summer's weather being a little on the damp side, it's perhaps hardly surprising that visitors have been flocking to the aquarium, based in Bolton's Central Library and Museum building.

Home to more than 70 varieties of fish originating from across the globe, there are species from the likes of Costa Rica, Brazil, Borneo and Madagascar.

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Flesh eating Red-bellied Piranha are among the most popular exhibits, due to their fierce reputation, and it's also home to the strange snake-like fish Ornate Bichir, which comes from the swamps of central Africa, and the Pygmy Glass, one of the smallest fish in the world.

The largest fish in the collection, the Oxydoras niger or Mother-of-snails catfish, originates in Brazil and is a metre long and weighed 22lbs 4oz in 2006. He lives in one of the largest tanks which display a variety of South American fish and recreates the environment of the river Amazon.

Bolton Museum’s Aquarium opened in January 1941, and the location and overall layout remains the same as it was then. However, present day fish care, education and behind-the-scenes activities are very different.

During the school holidays it's open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and there's a fish feed daily at 1pm.

Most families tie in their visit with a trip to the museum at Le Mans Crescent too, which hosts family friendly events and exhibitions all year round and is also free.

Ranging from Egyptian mummies to local history and wildlife, Bolton's collection promises 'something for everyone'.

Bolto