Underwater Christmas at the Aquarium

The 3m tall brightly painted tree, surrounded with gift boxes, was installed in the Atlantic Tank on Monday and is already causing a ripple of excitement amongst the dogfish and rays.

A new film has been created for the enjoyment of the human visitors to the Aquarium, as well as the fishy inhabitants, by County Hall-based animation production company CHASE. This is being screened in the tank, and tells the story of a seemingly predatory shark who turns out to be a bit of a Santa Claus in disguise.

If the two-legged creatures visiting the Aquarium over Christmas can tear themselves away from the tanks, they can take part in craft activities (running until Friday 6 January) to make underwater and Christmas-themed badges, shark headdresses, stained glass window designs or animal spiral mobiles.

From 19 to 23 December inclusive, visitors to the Aquarium can meet a warm-blooded Father Christmas who will be handing out presents from his snow covered grotto, complete with sleigh and reindeer.

Craft activities will be charged at between 50p and £1 per item, and will be fully supervised.

• London Aquarium