Basking sharks have been spotted in the wreck of the Scylla

Diving activity in Whitsand Bay has trebled following the scuttling of HMS Scylla to create Europe's first artificial diving reef.

About 530 dive boats travelled to the site in April and May - more than the total for a six-month period last year.

Experts at Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium say the vessel has already become home to a variety of sea life.

Tourist submarine

This includes pollack, ballan wrasse, cod, bib - which are in the cod family - and basking sharks.

Melanie Cowie, manager of the National Marine Aquarium (NMA) which is leading the Scylla project, said: "Divers need not be deterred by the large volume of people exploring Scylla's intricate decks.

"After all, when she was a fully operational warship, Scylla was home to over 240 service personnel at any one time."

Non-divers will soon be able to visit HMS Scylla when the aquarium launches a six-person research and tourist submarine next month.

Boost economy

The NMA plans to run regular one-hour submarine tours of the wreck for �150 per person.

Scylla, decommissioned in 1993, was bought by the aquarium with �200,000 provided by the South West Regional Development Agency.

The 2,500-tonne Leander Class frigate has settled on the seabed close to the Liberty ship James Eagan Lane, torpedoed on her maiden voyage in 1944.