Ken gives aquarium go-ahead

Ken Livingstone has unveiled plans for a massive aquarium in Docklands.

An aquatic research centre would also be housed in the £70million project - involving London Zoo - at London's largest brownfield site, in the Royal Docks.

It aims to repeat the success of the aquarium in County Hall but would get an estimated 1.25million visitors a year. The Mayor said today: "All over the world aquaria are huge money-spinners.

Getting planning permission in about six months' time is the only major stumbling block."

The 1990's project has been resurrected as the capital's tourist trade experiences its worst year on record.