Ichthyosaur fossil: Giant 30ft ‘sea dragon’ from 180 MILLION years ago discovered in East Midlands

SCIENTISTS have hailed the most important and most full fossil “sea dragon” ever found within the UK.

Consultants discovered the 30ft skeleton of the dolphin-like ichthyosaur in Rutland Water, Rutland.

Consultants discovered the 30ft skeleton of the dolphin-like ichthyosaur in Rutland Water, RutlandCredit score: PA

The primary ichthyosaurs, that are referred to as sea dragons as a result of they have an inclination to have very massive tooth and eyes, had been found by fossil hunter and palaeontologist Mary Anning within the early nineteenth centuryCredit score: PA

It's 180million years outdated.

They develop to 82ft (25 metres).

The primary ichthyosaurs, that are referred to as sea dragons as a result of they have an inclination to have very massive tooth and eyes, had been found by fossil hunter and palaeontologist Mary Anning within the early nineteenth century.

Dr Dean Lomax, a palaeontologist who has studied the species, stated: "Regardless of the various ichthyosaur fossils present in Britain, it's exceptional to suppose that the Rutland ichthyosaur is the most important skeleton ever discovered within the UK.

"It's a actually unprecedented discovery and one of many best finds in British palaeontological historical past."

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

The fossil is 180million years outdatedCredit score: PA

The excavation is proven on BBC Two’s Digging For Britain tomorrow at 8pmCredit score: PA