A comedian has escaped prosecution over the death of a shark after he went skinny-dipping in its tank.

Guy Venables, 34, jumped into the tank at the Sea Life Centre in Brighton in the nude for a £1 bet.

Two days later a smoothhound died, prompting centre bosses to consider legal action.

They feared the shock of seeing Mr Venables swimming in the tank may have killed the creature and were threatening to take him to court for criminal damage.

However, an autopsy yesterday proved inconclusive.

The centre's marketing co-ordinator Lisa Handscomb said: "The results of the autopsy have come back inconclusive and we will therefore not be taking this matter further.

"However, I have asked Mr Venables to make a written commitment not to do this again."

Mr Venables, of Montgomery Street, Hove, said he was relieved by the decision.

He said: "I am glad it's all over.

"If they had taken me to court I was planning on having tramps acting as my lawyers just to show what a big joke the whole thing was.

"Of course I am sorry the shark died but if it had been living in the wild I am sure the shock of seeing something slightly out of the ordinary would not have killed it.

"I am not planning on doing it again."