More than 50,000 people booked to visit Dorchester’s biggest resident in the first month, figures show.

As expected, Dippy the Diplodocus has proved extremely popular with families from far and wide – and museum staff have been left overwhelmed.

Dippy was unveiled at Dorset County Museum for his first stop on his UK tour in February and lucky competition winner, 11-year-old Harry Swift, had the honour of placing the final 292 bone in Dippy’s foot.

A total of 52,000 people have now booked to see Dippy and school visits are already sold out – meaning an additional 7,000 pupils will be visiting the museum to learn all about Dippy and the Jurassic Coast.

The museum’s initial target was for 70,000 visitors to see the exhibition, but following the high numbers in the first month the museum is now anticipating that this could rise to as high as 90,000 to 100,000 visitors over the next few months.

Director of Dorset County Museum, Jon Murden said: “We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm people are showing for Dippy and are delighted so many people have come from all over Dorset, the South West and much further afield to meet our special visitor.

“Visitor numbers have exceeded our original expectations proving just how popular Dippy is.

“It is wonderful to see so many happy faces around the museum from visitors, volunteers and staff. I am very proud of all our staff and volunteers who have stepped up over the last few weeks and continue to deliver great customer service notwithstanding the increased demand.

“We have received such positive feedback from visitors and are enjoying seeing all your selfies with Dippy, so please do continue to send them in to us.”

Dippy was discovered in 1898 has been famously on show at The Natural History Museum in London since 1905 and, until now, has never left the museum.

The skeleton is a cast made in the early 1900s from an original in Pennsylvania, USA.

It is an example of the Diplodocus carnegii species, which lived between 145 and 156 million years ago.

He will remain at Dorset County Museum until May 7 and visitors are advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment online at dorsetcountymuseum.org/dcm/events/list/65/dippy-on-tour/