Blueprint Entertainment has acquired Earth Explorer, a science visitor attraction located in Ostend, Belgium, from Merlin Entertainments for an undisclosed sum.

The attraction is currently closed, but will re-open on completion of the deal, which is expected to be within the next six weeks.

With the acquisition of Earth Explorer we have implemented another step in our expansion strategy," said Andreas Waschk, chairman of Germany-based Blueprint Entertainment.

"We are delighted to be able to ensure that such an exciting attraction will be maintained in the future."

Blueprint already runs two other science centre attractions in Germany – the adventure museum Odysseum in Cologne and the Children's Museum Explorado in Duisburg.