Scarborough: New Yorkshire Jurassic fossil find on 'Dinosaur Coast'

The new discovery by Marie Woods reveals two footprints, with the one at the top showing just two toes

A new fossil bearing two footprints dating back millions of years has been found on Yorkshire's "Dinosaur Coast".

The trace fossil from the Jurassic era was found by archaeologist Marie Woods on the foreshore near Scarborough.

Ms Woods said recent strong storms had caused "dramatic erosion" and it was found in the same area she discovered a larger footprint last year.

The claw marks were laid down in muddy, wet conditions up to 175 million years ago in what is now North Yorkshire.

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Ms Woods said of her discovery of a fossilised therapod - or three-toed dinoasaur: "I feel quite excited when I find something, I'm like a child when I do.

"I go out along coasts often and onto the beach and then it's a case of trying to get your eye in."

The prints are of an animal likely to have been a meat-eater by the shape of its claws, Marie Woods believes

The archaeologist, who announced her new find on Twitter, said while the double print was smaller than last year's discovery, it would still help scientific studies.

At the time the dinosaur's feet were squashed into the mud for posterity, the land stretched out far further into the North Sea than it does now, Ms Woods said.

What is now the coast had possibly been a sort of wetland in the Jurassic era, where many ferns grew and which contained a river delta.

Marie Woods says fossil hunters must take note of the tides and be aware of rock falls to keep safe

Ms Woods' first discovery was actually "a rediscovery", as it had been partially spotted by fossil collector Rob Taylor back in November 2020.

Last year's bigger find was "quite significant" and papers on that trace fossil were due to be published soon, she said.

Ms Woods, a director of Heritage Adventures, said many other people had also found good fossils on that part of the North Yorkshire coast.

She said the area around Scarborough "could be called the Dinosaur Coast".

About £2,000 was needed to properly preserve the trace fossil by getting an expert to carry out conservation similar to a "scientific 3D-jigsaw", Ms Woods added.