Concerns over giant aquarium plan

Animal welfare groups have raised concerns over the plans

Animal welfare activists are meeting on Wednesday night to discuss plans to build the world's largest freshwater aquarium near Bedford.

The National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats (NIRAH) hope to build the £250m bio-dome at Stewartby.

NIRAH announced the plans for the complex two weeks ago.

A meeting is taking place at 1930 BST at the Bunyan Meeting Free Church in Mill Street, Bedford, to discuss environmental concerns.

Bedford Animal Action has voiced concern over the keeping of fish and reptiles in a captive environment.

But the team behind NIRAH have denied that animals will be in any way harmed.

Representatives of NIRAH, as well as the Mayor of Bedford and the Bedford Borough Council were invited to Wednesday's meeting, but have said they will not be attending.