A POPULAR Southend seafront attraction owned by businessman Philip Miller is set to close at the end of next month for a £1million improvement programme.

The revamp of the Sea-Life Adventure, in Eastern Esplanade, will be the first big development since it was bought in 2000, by Mr Miller who also owns theme park, Adventure Island.

A big part of the redevelopment will be the creation of a tropical shark tank.

Holding more than 195 tons of water, the tank will become home to Black Tio Reef sharks and an array of tropical fish, swimming among coral.

Visitors will be able to get a glimpse of ocean life from the seabed as they walk along an 8m-long Perspex tunnel beneath the tank.

Sea-Life curator David Knapp said: “This new display will be both fascinating and educational because it also carries a strong conservation message that sharks are being threatened more than ever before from unregulated fishing.”

Two more new exhibits will also be coming – a tank with lionfish and a collection of moray eels.

The restaurant will also be completely revamped and will reopen as the Three Shells at Sea-Life Adventure, a franchise of the Three Shells at Adventure Island.

Philip Miller, chairman of Stockvale, which owns the centre, said: “Everything we are doing is aimed at making a trip to Sea-Life Adventure far more interesting and enjoyable for our visitors.”