WORK on the UK's first interactive dive cage simulator - destined to open in October at the Oceanarium Bournemouth - has begun off-site.

The £115,000 development is being funded by the Oceanarium's parent company Real Live Leisure.

The 2.5 metre by 2.5 metre cage will be able to accommodate up to 12 visitors at a time, with three navigators - one controlling each digital wall.

Flaming Pear Interactive, the Guildford based creative design agency commissioned with creating the software, is developing a range of creatures especially for the project.

They include a manta ray with a wingspan of at least two metres (one third the actual size).

The ray will fly' towards the user before launching into the interactive options so users can discover more about its anatomy, speed, feeding and breeding.

Oceanarium general manager James Eels said: "To play with the whole dive cage experience would take an hour, 20 minutes per wall, but realistically we expect visitors to use it for 10-15 minutes at a time.

"While we would hope to see some new and repeat visits as a result of the new installation, our main aim with this project has been to enhance the content and value of the visit."

Flaming Pear Interactive director Simon Reveley said: "There is no limit to the number of creatures or oceans we can add to the software, so even while we are creating the initial installation, we are planning new experiences to be launched Spring 2007."