Plans to site a unique visitor attraction at Tenby's De Valence Pavilion have been revealed this week.

Owners of Silent World Aquarium and Reptile Collection, which is located in a former cemetery chapel at Slippery Back on Tenby's Narberth Road, have told the Observer that the now unused building inside the town walls would be perfect for their plans to create a state-of-the-art aquarium.

"We've been trying to relocate for the past four years to bigger premises and the De Valence is a building that is perfect for our plans and vision," explained Russ Spenceley, who runs Silent World with his wife, Ginny Batt, whose parents Chris and Marion Batt, founded Silent World back in 1989.

Last week, Tenby Town Council, who own the De Valence building following the liquidation of the De Valence Trust in May of last year, revealed that they had been in talks with two potential suitors for the Upper Frog Street facility.

The Observer understands that the other interested party is national pub chain J.D. Wetherspoon.

And following our front page story last week, the owners of Silent World, which is home to an amazing selection of marine life from around the Pembrokeshire coast and many exotic creatures, have come forward to tell us their proposals.

"It's time for Silent World to break it's silence; we've been in talks with a view to leasing the building initially, with a view to purchasing it in the future," explained Russ.

"The building ticks all the right boxes for a social enterprise; we've worked out a business plan that works and there would be various sources of grant funding available to us.

"We'd be looking to spend £2m to get the venture off the ground and any money generated would go back into the facility."

Russ continued: "There are only two other public aquariums in Wales one in Rhyl and one in Anglesey, so we'd provide an iconic all-weather tourist attraction for Tenby that would bring in new trade and money into the town, with all profits remaining in Tenby."

It has also been proposed to naming the attraction the National Aquarium of Wales.

As well as providing state-of-the-art tanks, focusing on the Pembrokeshire coast and its marine life, a host of tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians and an expanded exotic section would also feature, while architects have already looked at potential building designs to include a roof-top feature and underwater restaurant at the premises.

Russ and Ginny say that as well as attracting visitors to the town, the facility would also provide a meeting point for people in Tenby, with a cafe area and gift shop open to the public and not just those wanting to visit the aquarium.

Well-known for their work with local schools and colleges and the Prince's Trust, the couple say that there are also plans in place to increase their current training programme and expand the marine research carried out.

The proposals have received support from the Tenby Development Trust, with the organisation's vice-chairman Phil Bromby stating that Silent World have proved over many years that an aquarium and reptile house, together with the educational programme that they have in place can attract visitors of all ages to the resort.

"Their vision for a modern, much larger operation in the De Valence would provide a unique visitor attraction and a wet weather facility within the town walls," said Mr. Bromby in a letter of support.

"Such a unique attraction could act as a catalyst for other environmentally based businesses to develop, making Tenby uniquely distinctive from other resorts in Wales and the UK in the future," he added.

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart has also given his backing to the project and written to Tenby Town Council, saying that the plans could prove to be a 'wonderful way forward' both for Silent World and for Tenby itself.

"Having discussed the future of the aquarium with the owners, it is obvious that they have a clear vision, and are looking to develop a modern, nationally recognised marine aquarium and reptile centre here in Pembrokeshire," said Mr. Hart.

"They have a strong sense of place, and see Tenby as an ideal centre for the promotion of the Pembrokeshire coast and national marine reserve. It is heartening to see an already thriving attraction, looking to improve on the educational experience that it offers in a way that also promotes the area generally," he continued.

"It appears that the De Valence offers a central location, with sufficient space to accommodate the proposed developments. Central sites of this type are quite difficult to come by, and it would be a great shame if the aquarium were forced to relocate further afield due to non-availability of a suitable site.

"The provision of this unusual all-weather attraction within the town centre would also offer valuable job opportunities, and encourage further visitors and accompanying trade to the town," he added.

Talks on the future of the De Valence Pavilion building are set to continue when Tenby Town Council hold their next meeting on Tuesday night.