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The fossilised remains of a sea creature 180 million years old and the size of a double decker bus have been found at a reservoir in the east of England. The ten-metre long skeleton of the ichthyosaur is the largest and most complete of its type ever discovered in the UK.  

Palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax has studied many hundreds of ichthyosaurs and was head of the excavation team. He says the ichthyosaur fossil, discovered by a waterways maintenance official while undertaking routine maintenance, is a "mega, mega find" and has the potential to be one of the "greatest paleontological finds in Britain". He says a full excavation will take place later in the year.

"Not only is it the largest ichthyosaur skeleton ever found in Britain, but also the most complete skeleton of any prehistoric reptile ever discovered here."

Photo: Ichthyosaur skeleton found at Rutland Nature Reserve, January 2022 Credit: Anglian Water via Press Association