BBC News Online: Sci/Tech

Pit yields dinosaur remains

Experts say the find is in excellent condition

Palaeontologists found the skeleton of the Iguanodon, believed to be 2.5 metres long, during a dig at a quarry in Ockley, Surrey, UK.

Researchers have uncovered the preserved jawbone, pelvis and ribs of the dinosaur and are confident that they can unearth the full skeleton from The Weald Clay.

Dr Jerry Hooker, from the Natural History Museum in London, said: "The bones were found at the weekend during a geologists' field trip to the quarry and teams of six to seven people from the museum have been working since then to unearth the skeleton."

Skeletons of the herbivorous Iguanodon have been discovered in the country before, but experts say this find is in excellent condition.

Dr Hooker said: "The bones appear to be very well preserved and we are in the process of digging out the remains to be analysed and stored."

He said it was likely that the remains would eventually be displayed at the Maidstone Museum in Kent.

In 1983, a previously unheard of species of dinosaur, now known as Baryonyx walkeri, was discovered at the Ockley brick works site.