Feeding sharks, paddling with piranhas or dodging a giant catfish ... it's just another day at the office for Brighton Sea Life Centre staff.

Now two unique positions have become available for people with no other qualifications than a passion for marine life.

The centre wants two aquarists to carry out what centre manager Toby Forer has dubbed "the most interesting job in the world" - feeding the creatures and looking after display tanks.

He said: "It's a job which demands a great deal of responsibility but at the same time it's totally satisfying.

"You've got to be level headed because we look after some very dangerous creatures.

"For example, we have a coneshell which is one of the most venomous animals in the world. If you get bitten by one, you'll be dead within ten steps.

"Also, to clean the piranhas' display the aquarist has to get into the tank - but don't worry, we feed the fish first."

The aquarists will work with a deadly lionfish, stingrays whose sting can paralyse and a mantis shrimp with claws which can strike at the speed of a bullet.

There is also a giant catfish, named Hannibal the cannibal by Environment Agency officials who found him munching his way through fish in a local lake.

The aquarists will get involved in the centre's captive breeding programme involving seahorses and native sharks.

Mr Forer said: "It's a job involving a lot of love and compassion. It's a pretty special feeling when you have to look after a newly-born seahorse. It's a fantastic opportunity."

He added: "These positions really are open to anyone, whatever their background or age - perhaps someone who works in an office but keeps a fish tank at home, or even a keen fisherman."

Mr Forer himself trained as an art student and worked in bars and clubs before joining the centre 12 years ago.

He added: "So many people find themselves doing dull, nine- to-five jobs in professions they hate. In this job no single day is ever the same. Perhaps there's someone out there sitting in an office today who will find themselves sitting in a shark tank tomorrow."

Bosses at the centre promise the successful candidate will not be literally thrown in at the deep end - full training is given.

Anyone interested in applying for the positions should call displays curator Peter Jones on 01273 604234.