Sea centre's mullet fed porridge

Supplements are added to the mullet's porridge

Grey mullet at a sea life centre are enjoying a traditional "breakfast" with a hearty helping of porridge.

The oats were originally introduced at Blackpool Sea Life Centre to sneak supplements into their diets.

But staff found that the fish gulped down the porridge and are now given a daily serving.

The milky texture clouds the water in the Victorian Pier tank, meaning their treats are limited to the end of the day after visitors have gone home.

'Mullet feeding frenzy'

"That stodgy texture is just what mullet love," said aquarist Mike Bell.

"They'll eat pretty much anything anyway, but porridge really triggers a mullet feeding frenzy.

"We actually tried porridge in the first place as a way of sneaking the supplements into their diet without them objecting, and it worked better than we ever anticipated," said Mr Bell.

Grey mullet are a common coastal species, often spotted inside harbours scavenging on discarded bread and other food.