Ollie octopus waves eight arms for Blackpool FC

Ollie the octopus can change colour according to its surroundings

Blackpool may have emptied of football fans for the play-off final at Wembley, but at least eight arms were left waving in support back in the resort.

Staff at Blackpool Sea Life centre have called their octopus "Ollie" as the club attempts to secure its place in the Premier League.

Named after manager Ian Holloway - whose nickname is Ollie - the octopus is being heralded as a lucky mascot.

Blackpool were taking on Cardiff in the showpiece final on Saturday afternoon.

Some 35,000 fans left the resort to travel to Wembley on Saturday, but thousands more were cheering on the team in the town.

Tangerine camouflage

Among them were several members of Sea Life staff looking after Ollie.

Longstanding Blackpool Football Club fan Adam Mason said: "I'm really chuffed the centre has named Ollie as the team's new lucky mascot.

"If Blackpool win this Saturday it will be a glorious dream come true as Blackpool will have finally made it back into the top flight of English soccer for the first time since 1967.

"Let's hope Ollie proves to be as lucky as we hope."

Despite his eight arms and lightning quick reactions Ollie will never make it out of the tank to play for the real Ollie.

However, with the ability to change his colour to match his surroundings for camouflage, staff hope he takes on a tangerine hue to show his support.