The fossil of a sea reptile dating back 150 million years has been unearthed on Dorset's Jurassic Coast. The ichthyosaurus was discovered by amateur collector, Dr Steve Etches, buried head-first in limestone on the shore near Kimmeridge Bay.

After noticing its abundance of teeth he gave it to palaeontologists at the University of Portsmouth who identified it as a new genus and species. The specimen has been named Thalassodraco etchesi after Dr Etches.

Researchers at the university found the fossil was "in exceptional condition and even some of its soft tissues were preserved". Masters student Megan Jacobs, who identified it, said: "Being given the chance to describe this ichthyosaur was a real privilege".

Researchers discovered it had hundreds of tiny, delicate, smooth teeth, an unusually deep ribcage and small flippers, and may have swum with a "distinctive style from other ichthyosaurs".

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