FOSSILISED trees have been flown by helicopter from Portland to the 'Fossil Forest' on Dorset's Jurassic Coast.

Two pieces of fossilised tree are being donated by Albion Stone to the forest, which is located near Lulworth and believed to have its roots in the Jurassic period.

Residents may have spotted the Royal Marines landing a helicopter on the pitch of the Red Triangle Cricket Club near Easton so that the fossils could be collected and transported to the ancient site, within the Lulworth firing ranges just east of Lulworth Cove.

Access to the Fossil Forest is currently being restored by Dorset Council following a landslip.

Kelly Matthews of Albion Stone said: "This was part of an operation to transport some fossilised trees to the Fossil Forest along the coastal path on Lulworth Range. We were delighted to be able to donate some fossilised wood to be displayed.

"Helicopter was the best means of transport due to where the final resting place would be along the cliff edge with limited road access."

The fossilised pieces of wood donated by Albion Stone will be on display at the forest in the upper viewing area.

As previously reported, the forest is a 'globally important' ancient site. Evidence has been found of a forest that grew there around 145 million years ago.

According to landowner Lulworth Estates, the stumps, trunks and roots of trees died during floods when the climate became wetter, and were preserved by layers of calcareous sediment from the deposits of freshwater algae.

Bowl shapes have been left where the trunks rotted away, leaving hard, calcareous 'tufa'. Ripple marks of an ancient sea floor, fossilised algal mats and ‘broken beds’ are also visible.

The site has been closed since 2015 following a large rock fall that damaged the steps leading to the forest.

Dorset Highways started repair work on the steps over the summer holidays, with the possibility of work on the 'complex' project continuing over weekends during October.

It is expected the improved steps and viewing area will be open for all visitors by the end of 2019.

The Fossil Forest Access project is part of the Dorset Coastal Connections portfolio of 18 projects, coordinated by Dorset Coast Forum, which aims to support and boost the economies of our coastal areas.