The UK's largest aquarium has been criticised by an animal rights group for serving seafood in its restaurant.

Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) said the policy at Cheshire's Blue Planet Aquarium was "bizarre".

It said it would begin a campaign to have fish taken off the menu at the centre in Ellesmere Port.

But its owner Deep Sea Leisure has refused to back down, saying it was standing up for customer choice.

Peta director Dawn Carr was "shocked"

Dawn Carr, director of Peta UK, said she had been "shocked" when one of the pressure group's members alerted her to the situation.

She said: "Serving fish on the menu at an aquarium is simply bizarre.

"These places purport to be places where one can learn about, and admire, fish.

"How can anyone stand in awe of these glorious, fascinating creatures and then head over to the cafeteria and stick a fork in them?"

But Deep Sea Leisure said it had no plans to remove fish from its menus.

Spokeswoman Sarah Champness said: "We attract a large range of different visitors and they have the right to free choice which is why we are keeping fish on the menu.

"We also provide meat and vegetarian dishes and are sure we have something for everyone."