Ichthyosaur marine reptile fossil goes on display

The two-metre long fossil is on display in Lyme Regis until the end of September

A fossil of a marine reptile found 200 years ago in Dorset is to go on display in the town of its discovery.

The two-metre long skull of an Ichthyosaur will be displayed at the Lyme Regis Museum, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London.

The fossil was discovered in Lyme Regis in 1811 by local fossil hunter Mary Anning and her brother Joseph.

The skull, which was sold by the family soon after it was found, will be on show until the end of September.

Found in the 205 million-year-old Jurassic Blue Lias cliffs on the beach in the town, the skull was bought by the British Museum in 1819 and ended up at the Natural History Museum.

Dr Martin Munt, from the Natural History Museum, said: "It has been a privilege to help Lyme Regis Museum achieve their dream of bringing home this iconic fossil specimen to mark the 200th anniversary of its discovery."