TWENTY baby starfish which change sex as they age have been homed in a newly refurbished aquarium.

The cushion starfish, normally found in rock pools in the south and west coasts of Britain, were added to the Horniman Museum's aquarium which opened in July.

They start life as males, but as they grow and increase in size become females.

Visitors watched as the starfish were delivered to the museum on September 20 before being re-homed.

The past month has seen the Horniman enjoy its busiest period in its 105-year history.

A total of 67,000 people visited the museum gardens in August and 70,000 have taken a tour around the new £1.5m aquarium since July.

Aquarium manager Kerwin Porter said: "The starfish are particularly useful for scientists who study them to see how global warming is affecting marine wildlife."