Ref. 29451-33CELEBRITY botanist David Bellamy blasted the Government over its decision to allow the planting of GM crops, before opening a long-awaited tourist haven at the Cotswold Water Park.

The £2m Gateway Centre, developed by the Water Park Society, has been in the offing since the park opened in 1969.

And yesterday afternoon the vision officially became a reality as crowds gathered for the grand opening.

Mr Bellamy, patron of the Water Park Society, used the opportunity to slam Prime Minister Tony Blair's GM bombshell.

"What the hell is he doing even thinking about planting GM crops in this country?" he said:

He said people who eat GM foods are at risk of having rogue genetic material called 'transposons' dwelling in the gut.

"That is exactly what AIDS was, rogue genetic material," he warned.

"The Government just does not know what it is doing."

He went on to praise the centre hailing it "a centrepiece to a miraculous project".

Built of green oak, the building is heated using the power from the nearby lake and solar panels on the roof, and even the toilets have had an environmentally friendly make-over they are flushed using rainwater.

Mr Bellamy added: "I, and the world, have been watching the centre for 30 years. It's become one of the best showcases of a fantastic wildlife resource and it pays for itself.

"This provides a focal point to increase awareness of the water park as an internationally recognised wildlife reserve and leisure destination.

"When I was young I learned to swim in a lake. Kids can do that here. It's so much better than a pool as you don't have chlorine or echoing voices."

It's not just the environment that is set to benefit. The centre will provide more than 25 new jobs, while 100 local contractors have already been employed in creating the development.

Information officers will be positioned around the building to offer advice about walks, cycle routes and water sport facilities to its 500,000 annual visitors.

The centre, located just off the A419 midway between Swindon and Cirencester overlooking stunning views of Lake six, will provide an exhibition area charting the development of the park from the Jurassic era to present day.

Inside there is a caf-restaurant, holiday company Orion Holidays, and next door is a camping equipment specialist.

The water park covers 40 square miles south of Cirencester and has 140 man-made lakes.

Simon Pickering, acting chief executive of the society, said: "Our vision is to create a sustainable tourist destination that will incorporate wildlife, leisure and relaxation."

Alex Emery