Giant 30ft ‘sea dragon’ from 180 million years ago discovered in MIDLANDS in one of ‘greatest’ fossil finds in UK history

SCIENTISTS have hailed the largest and most complete “sea dragon” fossil ever discovered in the UK.

Experts found the 30ft skeleton of a dolphin-like ichthyosaur in Rutland Water, Rutland.

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It is 180 million years old.

They grow to 82ft (25 metres).

The first sea dragons, known as sea dragons because they had huge teeth and eyes, were discovered by fossil hunter and paleontologist Mary Anning in the early 19th century.

Dr Dean Lomax, a paleontologist who has studied the species, said: “Despite the numerous ichthyosaur fossils found in the UK, it is remarkable that Rutland ichthyosaur is the largest skeleton ever. found in the UK.

“It is a discovery that is truly unprecedented and one of the greatest in the history of British paleontology.”

The excavation is shown on BBC Two’s Digging For Britain at 8pm tomorrow.

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