Broadcasting legend Sir David Attenborough was on hand to cut the ribbon as his 'Sea Dragon' was unveiled at its new home in west Dorset. 

A recently-unearthed ichthyosaur fossil, which was the subject of a special TV documentary, Attenborough and the Sea Dragon, was unveiled at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre at a VIP event at the weekend.

Speaking at the event, Sir David told guests: "This coast was where people saw for the first time, that in our distant past there were huge animals. 

"This is a very important place in science and it’s marvellous to come down and see that local people are taking it into their own hands.

"Congratulations to (Charmouth) and to all of you for this splendid centre. It’s a monument, a reminder of what local effort can do. I’m so pleased that this fossil is here."

Fossil hunter Chris Moore discovered the new species of ‘fish-lizard’ on Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis, in January 2016.

Charmouth-based Mr Moore, who is a friend of Sir David, said it was a chance telephone conversation that led to the whole project. 

"He happened to phone me and I said, I've got a block of limestone and and it looks like something new to me." 

Mr Moore said within fifteen minutes Sir David had got the BBC on board and the rest was history.

Around 80 guests, including documentary makers Sally Thomson and Lucy Day, their crew, landowners of the excavation site George and Frances Allhusen, and heritage centre wardens and trustees, attended the event to unveil the fossil, which will remain at the centre for the next year.

Chris Moore said: "I've been working with the BBC team for over a year. It's definitely been a highlight of my life – to work with David. I'm very honoured."

Speaking to the Echo, Sir David said: "I have known the Jurassic Coast since I was a boy and it's also a very important place world-wide.

"I hope people realise this is a important place in terms of science and we have a lot more left to learn. 

"I said to Chris, next time you have something very good, let us know - that's what happened."

Sir David said the whole project took around ten months from start to finish, with two weeks at the excavation site and more than 1,000 hours to prepare the fossils. 

"I've often thought it would be nice to really document the excitement that you have when you find fossils and you can't do that if in fact you start filming when the thing has already been found.

"Sally and the team at the BBC, determined that we would do this as it happened. Of course there's a risk, because you don't know how it's going to turn out."

The fossil can be seen at Charmouth Coast and Heritage Centre and entry is free. 

Chairman on the trustees Jim Rose said after a successful year at the centre, the newest edition was the "icing on the cake."