Rare '˜Ray twins' born in Blackpool

These tiny terrors have just been born at Blackpool's Sea Life centre, where aquarists have named them after the notorious gangsters, who were infamously turned away from the resort.

By The Newsroom

Published 4th May 2018, 11:22 BST

Updated 4th May 2018, 11:26 BST

Twin baby Rays at SEA LIFE Blackpool. Picture: Jason Lock

Twin stingrays are rare and the attraction’s general manager Matthew Titherington said he and his staff were delighted to have nursed their arrival as part of its ‘breed, rescue, protect’, conservation campaign.

They are now being looked after by head aquarist Scott Blacker and his team in the nursery tank. Scott said: “One of the team suggested we call them Ronnie and Reggie, the ray twins. They’re already proving a big hit with visitors.

“They’re doing well and putting on weight already.”

The London gangsters were said to have been seen off by the late Blackpool hard man Michael ‘Mixie’ Walsh, who died at 84 in 2015, following a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Legend has it he turned the pair away when they tried to expand their criminal empire to the Fylde coast.

Blackpool Matthew Titherington