TELEVISION naturalist Sir David Attenborough got fans in a flap during a weekend celebrating Lyme’s most famous daughter.
The broadcaster spoke about pterodactyls during Lyme Regis Museum’s Mary Anning Weekend.
Sir David, a patron of the museum’s Friends, talked to a sell-out crowd at the Marine Theatre about his new show on the prehistoric creatures which will be screened in 3D at the end of the year.
Museum curator Mary Godwin said: “For many people, seeing Sir David was the highlight of the weekend.
“He’s a legend and he did a bit of a meet and greet as well.
“People seem to have a lot of interest in geology and you don’t get to see David Attenborough every day.”
Talks by Bristol University professor Mike Benton on The Colour of Dinosaurs and author Tracy Chevalier with Tom Sharpe and Professor Patrick Boylan on Mary Anning and the Men of Science were also well attended.
Walkers completed a guided stroll around Lyme in the footsteps of Mary Anning, led by Natalie Manifold, while fossil experts Paddy Howe and Chris Andrew identified fossils at the museum.
This year’s Mary Anning weekend, an annual event at the museum, was bigger than previous years, Mrs Godwin said.
She added: “Every year is different.
“Around 2,500 people attended and people seemed to come from all over.
“We also had activities for kids and people seemed to be interested.
“If you put on good quality events then people will come.”
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