FUN was the order of the day when the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary at Loch Lomond Shores celebrated its 10th birthday party on Saturday.

And it was a step back in time for 100 lucky VIP guests- as they were granted admission at the same rate as it was in 2006- £7.95- when the centre opened.

On the day there were a series of special events to mark the occasion and scores of visitors were also able to tuck into a delicious birthday cake.

There was face painting, balloon modelling and the whole centre was decorated with balloons and bunting.

And the fact that the Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival was also on the same day, the centre, which boasts Scotland's largest collection of sharks and rays, reported bumper crowds.

Undoubtedly one of the major highlights for children on the day was the opportunity to see the ever popular otters having their lunchtime snack during feeding time, while the turtle talk and feed with Cammy, the only giant sea turtle in Scotland, as well as the cow nose Ray talk and feed, went down well too.

Kirsty Morrison, who is a marketing executive at Sea Life Loch Lomond, hailed the weekend birthday party a resounding success.

She said: "The 10th Birthday celebrations went well.

"We had a very busy day, with the first 100 visitors getting a special VIP ticket at the 2006 opening price of £7.95 including a party bag full of treats and a free drink in our coffee shop.

"We had a balloon modeller, face painter and decorations throughout the site.

"We also had a birthday cake which all our customers got a slice of.

"And our mascot, Ollie the otter was also out and about meeting and greeting guests around the centre and shores."