HERE is a York-created shark whose megabyte is worse than its bark.

Say hello to Holoshark, the life-size creation of York multimedia specialists MindWave which had visitors to The Deep "submarium" in Hull gawping this Easter weekend.

It has also had marketing experts within Mindwave seeking to exploit the same techniques which produced that fully animated virtual reality Gray Reef shark in what could be a multi-million pound market.

The Holoshark appeared for the first time this Easter weekend on special 5ft-feet-wide screens at The Deep to create the illusion that it was floating in space.

Using touch screen controls, visitors can peel away the outer layers and see the inside of the shark's body, as well as rotate it and watch it swimming in space.

MindWave carried out exhaustive international research, working with marine biologists from Waikiki beach in Hawaii as well as The Deep's own team of experts, in order to examine the detailed biology of sharks.

Computer designers then modelled the shark literally tooth by tooth, building it in five layers - senses, skeleton, internal organs, muscles and skin - producing nearly 6,000 images in the process. The project took four months.

Jeff Maytom, director of MindWave, said: "This cutting edge display pushes back the boundaries of interactive displays.

"Extensive research has enabled us to create this unique piece of design and provide The Deep with an innovative, exciting new exhibit, appealing to adults and children alike."

Mindwave is the multimedia division of the Continuum group, based in a former school in Margaret Street, York.

It specialises in producing dazzling multimedia presentations for the heritage and visitor attraction industry.

Regional projects have included historic building presentations for Whitby Abbey headland visitor centre, an audio tour at York's Treasurers House for the National Trust and computer-modelled cartoon characters for the Making It! Discovery centre in Mansfield.

It was also responsible for an award-winning website, called Idigsheffield.org.uk, which scooped the best information website title at the Digital Yorkshire Internet awards last year; and website, CD-Rom and audio visual presentation for Cresswell Crags: Virtually the Ice Age which won the Channel 4 ICT accolade at the British Archaeological Awards 2002.

Updated: 11:06 Tuesday, April 13, 2004