FOSSILS of two giant marine reptiles - species considered new to science - go on display for the first time this weekend.

The ichthyosaurs, which are similar in appearance to a modern-day dolphin, take their bow at the Charmouth Fossil Festival collectors' day on Saturday.

Senior warden Meirel Whaites said: "These are two very significant finds as they are considered to be species new to science.

"One find is from Golden Cap near Charmouth and the other from Kimmeridge at the far end of the Jurassic Coast.

"This will be the first time the Kimmeridge ichthyosaur will be on public display, so it is a great opportunity for the general public to view the specimens and meet the people who found them."

The weekend programme of events also includes fossil hunting walks and fun activities for all including an opportunity to help create an ammonite graveyard, fossil mould making, ammonite slice polishing and dino-dig trays.

There will also be displays and information from the Dorset Geological Assoc-iation, the World Fossils can also be brought along for identification while visitors can see a professional collector at work as he investigates a recent find from the beach.

Ichthyosaurs cruised the seas for 140 million years, disappearing about 25 million years before the dinosaurs became extinct. They averaged two to four metres (6.5ft-13ft) and weighed up to a ton, although some species were much larger.

They had a porpoise-like head and a long, toothed snout and were built for speed like modern tuna, scientists believing that they could reach speeds of 25mph.

The festival and events run this Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4.30pm on both days.

Details of the programme are on the centre's website www.charmouth.org or by contacting the warden team at the centre on 01297 560772.