turtles from the Remembrance Day holiday.

Yesterday was the monthly wash and brush up for the green turtles at the Aquarium.

And it is also an opportunity to weigh, measure, look for injuries and determine the sex of some of our flippered friends.

Aquarium aquarists Ms Leanne Hinton and Mr. Patrick Talbot led a team of staff members and volunteers into the drained pool to meet the floundering turtles.

The large and small turtle scrubbers made quick work of the large and small turtles, washing algae from their shells.

Ms Hinton said: "It is mainly a cosmetic exercise to make the turtles look better. They are not really affected by the algae but they look a lot nicer when they are clean.

"This algae build up only really happens in the pool. In the ocean any algae is normally rubbed off by friction.'' Volunteers are called to help because the Aquarium turtles can weigh up to 67 kilos and it is a chance for young and old to get a little closer to the exhibits.

The Turtle Scrub also offers staff a chance to weigh and measure the turtles.

Ms Hinton said: "You get a fairly good idea of a turtle's health by its weight. If there is a sudden decrease you can be pretty certain there is something wrong.

"It also helps us keep records and often determine the sex of turtles because you can only tell whether they are male or female when they get to around 30 years old.'' And yesterday they were pretty certain that Tammy became Timmy after a close examination.

It is also a chance to treat injuries the turtles may have received. So while the eight volunteers scrubbed away, Ms Hinton, Mr. Talbot and Mr. Carl Roberts did the measuring work, recorded by Mr. Bryan Paul.

Volunteers are not in danger from the turtles, Ms Hinton said: "They do not bite, but they can give you a nasty slap with their flippers.'' The next scrub will take place in December.

SCRUBBING RUSH -- Eight-year-old Jana Smith and Calluna Harley-Thomas, 9, polish off another cleaned up turtle at the Aquarium.