The fossilized skull of a giant pliosaur, an aquatic reptile that ruled the seas about 150 million years ago, has been found on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, one of the UK's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The skull, which is about 8 feet long, was discovered by local collector. It is believed to be the largest find its kind ever discovered and may have been part of an animal that was at least 50 feet long.
Dorset County Council used UK Lottery Heritage Fund money to pay the local collector £20,000 for the find. After it is investigated, it will be put on public display in the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester.
Apparently the skull was revealed in segements as time, tides and rock falls exposed it. According to the County Council's experts, it may be many years before more of the skeleton is exposed.
County officials are keeping the location of the find secret because of the danger of landslides and rock falls in the area. But, visitors can walk and fossil hunt along much of the Jurassic Coast.
Find out more about fossil hunting on Britain's Jurassic Coast