LYME Regis Museum has opened its doors to the public following the building of a brand-new extension, the Mary Anning Wing.

The new wing brings the museum up to date with improved visitor facilities including a lift, a new classroom and learning space, a brand new interactive fossil gallery and the most stunning sea views of Lyme Bay of any public building in the town.

Helping staff, volunteers and supporters to celebrate the opening of the doors after the ten-month build project was 'Mary Anning' herself.

Alongside her was Georges Cuvier, the father of French palaeontology, both characters courtesy of actors from theatre company Emerald Ant who brought the fossil hunter and her contemporaries to life in and around the museum on the first day of opening.

Museum director David Tucker said: “We’re thrilled to have the doors open again.

"It’s been an ambitious project and the extension will enable us to do so much more for so many more people.

"We’re very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund and our many other funders for their support for the Mary Anning Wing.”

There are celebratory events taking place over the next two weeks, including:

Saturday July 22

Free open day for all DT7 residents. Just quote your postcode to gain free entry.

Sunday July 23

Theatre company Emerald Ant will be in the museum bringing Mary Anning’s story to life.

Sunday July 23

Fossil Talk in the new geology gallery at 2.30pm. Included in the price of admission tickets - don’t miss this fascinating talk from our expert geologists.

Wednesday July 26 & 27

Children’s Dinosaur Sculpture Workshops with Darrell Wakelam.

Darrell has been running these workshops for 25 years and they are not to be missed! Drop-in and help him to make a dinosaur sculpture! The workshops are free, but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.