SHE’s not the most alluring creature in the world – but Barbara the giant Pacific octopus is about to become one of the region’s newest stars.

Babs, as she is fondly known, is one of the marine world’s most intelligent denizens and as well as her eight arms she has three hearts and her blood is blue.

And she is set to be the leading lady in the brand new Octopus Hideout exhibit that is opening at Scarborough’s Sea Life Centre in time for the February half-term.

Visitors will have the chance to come face-to-tentacle with a collection of super brainy, multi-legged creatures, including Babs and her cuttlefish cousins.

One of the biggest octopus species in the world, the giant Pacific can weigh up to 50 kilograms and can grow to a huge five metres in length.

Incredibly smart, they can solve mazes and open jars, disguising themselves along the way by matching their skin to the colour, pattern and texture of the environment surrounding them.

The hideout will also house the jet-propelled, prehistoric nautilus; a primitive octopus in a spiral shell that uses its own bodily gases to propel itself.