HE may have plodded off a year ago, but the success of a visiting dinosaur in Dorset continues to be felt.

Dorset County Museum, which hosted the 26-metre-long Dippy the diplodocus cast, was among the partner venues presented with the prestigious award of ‘Partnership of the Year’ at the Museums and Heritage Awards.

The award was given to celebrate the success of Dippy’s stay in Dorset, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and Ulster Museum in Belfast.

The Natural History Museum’s diplodocus cast is now halfway through its UK-wide tour and continues to excite and connect audiences with nature and inspire the next generation of scientists in their local communities.

Supported by the Arts Council England, the partnership was commended for being ‘enormously successful and brilliantly transformative for all involved’.

The Dorchester museum was the first to host Dippy for a 12-week stay last spring. It is estimated the exhibition contributed an estimated £2,250,000 to the local economy.

The award joins Dorset County Museum’s growing collection of trophies for Dippy in Dorset which has received overwhelming recognition across the south west. Staff say they are delighted that the tour continues to be a huge success and the memories of Dippy made by the 153,189 visitors, remain at the heart of the community today.

Museum director Dr Jon Murden said: ‘Dippy on Tour was an amazing experience for everyone at Dorset County Museum and was partnership working at its very best.

"We have been able to develop many new partnerships in the town and we intend to continue and develop this collaborative way of working.

"Dippy helped us transform the museum, opening up new possibilities and new audiences. The community really took Dippy into their hearts, and the result was an exhibition and experience that no one in Dorset will ever forget."

The tour’s partners, the Jurassic Coast Trust and Dorchester BID along with businesses and community groups, embraced the visit, hosting their own Dippy-themed events.

Along with the Natural History Museum, the national tour has been made possible with the support of the Garfield Weston Foundation.

Director of the Foundation Phillipa Charles said: "We are so thrilled to hear the news and many congratulations to the Natural History Museum, Dorset County Museum and all the tour venues. It is wonderful that the incredible hard work of all the partners has been recognised, as Dippy has created such excitement and engagement across the UK."

Dorset County Museum would like to say thank you to the community for its engagement and support which contributed to the success and lasting legacy of Dippy on Tour.

The revamped museum is due to open next summer with more exciting and inspiring exhibitions.