Giant dinosaur footprint the largest ever found in Yorkshire, say experts
A giant dinosaur footprint discovered on the Yorkshire coastline is the largest ever found in the region.
At almost a metre long, the footprint was left by a meat-eating theropod from the Jurassic period.
The huge creature was likely crouching down or resting around 166 million years ago when it left the marking, according to a study by the University of Manchester.
The record-breaking find was made in April 2021 by local archaeologist Marie Woods.
Ms Woods, now a co-author of the study, said: “I couldn’t believe what I was looking at, I had to do a double take.
“I have seen a few smaller prints when out with friends, but nothing like this. I can no longer say that ‘archaeologists don’t do dinosaurs’.”
Pic: Marie Woods
Following the discovery at Burniston Bay, a stretch of coast popular with professional palaeontologists, Ms Woods got in touch with other experts to help with the footprint’s recovery.
It became clear it had actually been spotted five months earlier, by Rob Taylor, a local fossil hunter and co-author of the new study – published in the Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society.
But the print was not fully exposed at the time, so its importance had not been fully realised.
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Pic: Marie Woods
The footprint was described as “a wonderful find” by Dr Dean Lomax, another of the co-authors.
“Features of the footprint may even suggest that this large predator was squatting down before standing up,” he said.
Ms Woods and Mr Taylor donated the specimen to Scarborough Museum and Galleries.
Experts believe the footprints were left by a Megalosaurus-like dinosaur. Pic: James McKay
Lead researcher and local geologist John Hudson said: “This important discovery adds further evidence that meat-eating giants once roamed this area during the Jurassic.
“The type of footprint, combined with its age, suggests that it was made by a ferocious Megalosaurus-like dinosaur, with a possible hip height between two and a half and three metres.”
The footprint is due to go on display at the Rotunda Museum in Scarborough after conservation work has been completed.
UK
Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to ‘beautiful soul’ as teen appears in court charged with murder
The family of a nine-year-old girl stabbed to death have said she was a “beautiful soul” who was brave, kind-hearted and “always put a smile on people’s faces”.
Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, just before 6.10pm on Monday, where Aria Thorpe had suffered a single stab wound.
The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a tribute released by Avon and Somerset Police on Friday, the girl’s family on her mother’s side said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.
“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy.”
Tom Thorpe, the girl’s father, said: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is, our little Aria, that you’re up there with the angels looking over us.”
It comes as a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared in court.
Pic: Avon and Somerset Police
Aria was a ‘precious girl’
In their statement, Aria’s family on her mother’s side said her death “has devastated us beyond words”.
“Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible,” they added.
“As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.”
They said they were “truly touched by the lovely messages we have received”, before asking “that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl”.
Flowers laid in memory of the young girl
‘Wacky ways and outright madness’
Mr Thorpe said: “How sad it’s going to be not hearing ‘Dad, how long left?’ on our long journeys back and forth at weekends.
He then said that Aria was “such a brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul”, and “always put a smile on people’s faces with your wacky ways and just outright madness”.
Mr Thorpe added: “Your other little family down here in Portsmouth will forever miss you.
“We’ll miss you begging to go outside, even in the pouring rain just to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had at weekends.
“You will be greatly missed, you special little angel. A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”
Teenager in court
Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, where he was remanded.
The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested in the Somerset village of Worle at 6.19pm on Monday.
He is next due in court on 16 March 2026. Appearing via video link from youth detention accommodation, he spoke only to confirm his name.
Judge Peter Blair KC set a provisional trial date for 15 June during the hearing.
A teenager charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe will stand trial in June next year.
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.
The defendant, who appeared via video link from youth detention accommodation, spoke only to confirm his name.
During a brief hearing, Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, set a provisional trial date for 15 June 2026.
The trial is expected to last two weeks.
Avon and Somerset Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare just before 6.10pm on Monday, where nine-year-old Aria had suffered a single stab wound.
Flowers laid in memory of the young girl
The boy was arrested in nearby Worle a short time later.
His father was among those attending in the public gallery.
The teenager is next expected to appear in court on 16 March.
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