A Kimmeridge fossil expert has been presented with an MBE by the Queen.

Steve Etches was awarded his MBE in June and was invited to an Investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle to be presented with his award by the Queen.

Mr Etches has spent 30 years collecting and researching fossil specimens found in clay at Kimmeridge.

His collection of more than 2,000 fossils contains species new to science and has been described as a ‘national treasure’.

It is thought to be the first time an MBE has been awarded for services to palaeontology.

Mr Etches said: “I’m really proud to have been awarded an MBE for services to palaeontology. It means a great deal.”

His aim has always been to make his renowned collection of Jurassic marine fossils publically available, to share as widely as possible the remarkable stories behind how these extraordinary creatures lived and died and their relevance to our lives today.

And 2014 has been a significant year in making this a reality. Funding has been raised to create a purpose built museum to house and conserve The Etches Collection, Mr Etches has gifted his collection to the nation, the land has been donated in Kimmeridge for the museum building, and approval has been granted to start construction early next year, with the museum due to open in spring 2016. Construction will begin on ‘The Etches Collection – Museum of Jurassic Marine Life’ in early 2015. The museum will open in spring 2016, making this unique collection available to everyone for the first time. It will bring to life the stories of these incredible creatures from deep time (130-180 million years ago), how they bred, how they lived and died and their relevance to the modern day.