IT may be unlikely we get a white Christmas in the UK but the ice age will be in full swing at The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham.

Merry Fishmas will be launching on Saturday until Tuesday, December 23 and brand new for the festive season is the sensational 4D movie experience, Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas.

The Ice Age friends are back in a holiday adventure the whole family can enjoy as Sid accidentally lands on Santa’s “naughty list” and he leads the gang to the North Pole to make things right.

Sea Life visitors will also get the chance to meet Father Christmas, who will be in his specially made Grotto,and will even receive a present - but only if they have been good.

The grotto will be found near to the centre’s newest attraction Penguin Ice Adventure which is a home to a waddling colony of Gentoo penguins.

With sensational interactive experiences, visitors are able to touch the iced environment that the penguins - and Father Christmas - call home as well as do their best imitations of the waddling birds in specially designated areas within the attraction.

There are also opportunities to watch the penguins being fed during the day.

Anyone looking for a closer encounter with the attraction's underwater creatures should take advantage of special VIP late night opening sessions on Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23 that enable visitors to experience a guided tour led by one of the resident experts.

It is a fun, festive opportunity to learn more about the fascinating creatures – and how they will spend Christmas day, as well as meet Father Christmas and enjoy a mince pie and festive drinks with him.

Eagle-eyed visitors will also spot the unusual addition to the Ocean Tunnel – a festive underwater Christmas tree.

For further information or to pre-book tickets online before your visit please go to www.sealife.co.uk/birmingham/. Reduced prices are available for tickets booked in advance.