Museum receives award for Jurassic collection

A museum has received a prestigious award from Arts Council England for one its oldest collections.

Lyme Regis Museum, which opened in 1923, has been given designated status for its Jurassic coast geology collection, which was one its founding exhibits.

The display has one of the first dinosaur fossils ever described, the juvenile Scelidosaurus and Jurassic fauna and flora, from ammonites and fossil fish to large marine reptiles such as Ichthyosaurs.

On receiving the honour, Museum Director Bridget Houseago said: "Lyme is widely considered the birthplace of palaeontology and I am delighted that our exceptional collection has been recognised by the Arts Council England."

The museum stands along the Jurrasic Coast and in the hometown of 19th Century fossil hunter Mary Anning, meaning Lyme Regis has long been a hub for pioneering paleontology.

Houseago added that its "rare, stunning and scientifically important fossils" offer "a remarkable insight into life on our planet and our understanding of the world".

Arts Council England has awarded more than 160 collections designated status - recognising the importance of diverse topics from art and literature to science.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said: "The Jurassic Coast Collection celebrates the birthplace of palaeontology and Britain's ancient life.

"I congratulate everyone at Lyme Regis Museum on this Designation award. The team have dug deep to bring the story of this remarkable geological landscape to life, and the collection will inspire generations to come."