DISCOVERING a fossil at the age of seven set the path Sam Scriven's life.

He can still remember the thrill 26 years later and he's hoping his new fossil book will spark the same thrill and joy of discovery in the next generation.

Earth Scientist, and Dorset-born fossil enthusiast, Sam Scriven is a member of the Jurassic Coast Trust team and when he was asked three years ago if he'd write a fossil book he jumped at the chance.

The 220-page book is being marketed as something for both the novice and the nerd and has an endorsement from Professor of geomorphology Denys Brunsden, who helped get the Jurassic Coast World Heritage status.

He said: "Written in a clear and accessible style, it sets the Jurassic Coast within the story of Earth and is an indispensable guide for amateurs and experienced scientists."

Sam studied geology at Weymouth College then at university. He moved back to work at the Charmouth coast centre before working for the Jurassic Coast Trust.

He said: "It is really lovely to come back and work as a geologist in the area that inspired me in the first place.

"Mine is a typical story of a little boy finding a fossil when I was seven and that peaked my interest.

"I was brought up generally with an interesting the outdoors and being curious about the world around me.

"I always wanted to work in the heritage and conservation sector and the fact that we have this World Heritage Site in Dorset and east Devon where I grew up is just a dream come true."

He said the team always knew they needed an official guide to the fossils of the site but were aware the subject had quite a lot of sensitivities and variety attached to it.

There are also a lot of other fossil book to compete with.

Sam said: "There are a lot of fossil books and leaflets that tell you about the fossils of Dorset. Some of them are very brief, others are more like identification guides.

"None of them really address first of all the actual story the way in which the fossils contribute to the world heritage status - this record of life of 185 million years - neither do they really talk about the way that we have to try and look after those fossils."

He also wanted to include the role of collecting, how to record finds and to promote the museums where you people can see fossils found.

He added: "All those things had to go into it which was quite a challenge but I love a challenge. I love communicating ideas."

He was helped too but a project to photograph the roughly 1000 specimens from local museums - all of which are now online.

He said: "This is about the long-term conservation of site not just about showing people amazing things.

"It is about creating that next generation of people who care about our geological heritage and who are going to look after it."

For more information and to buy the book, please visit jurassiccoast.org