A NEW ancient species of marine creature has been named after a famous Lyme Regis fossil hunter - after being mistaken for a plaster copy 30 years ago.

The fossil, thought to have been discovered at the cliffs around Lyme Bay in the early 1980s, was stored at Doncaster Museum. In 2008, it was finally recognised as an important find after having been mistaken for a plaster copy.

Studies on the fossil at Doncaster Museum by palaeontologist Dean Lomax have revealed it is the 189-million-year-old remains of a previously unknown species of ichthyosaur. The new species has been named Ichthyosaurus anningae after treasured Lyme Regis fossil hunter Mary Anning.

Mary Anning became famous for searching for fossils at the Blue Lias cliffs following landslips - and is credited with discovering the first remains of an ichthyosaur.

David Tucker, director at Lyme Regis Museum, said: "We were aware of the work Dean had been carrying out, and he's previously visited the museum to look at our ichthyosaurs.

"It's wonderful to hear that his work has identified a new species which must have originally come from the cliffs here at Lyme. This demonstrates the important role that museums play in furthering our knowledge of the past. It's also good to see Mary Anning honoured for her great work over 200 years ago."

Lyme Regis Museum is built on the site of Mary Anning's home and was funded by the nephew of her fossil hunting colleague, Elizabeth Philpot.

Scientists now hope news of this find might help trace the fossil hunter who first found the specimen. Dean, who studied the fossil, said it was so well preserved it was possible to determine the last thing it ate – a squid.

Working with Professor Judy Massare, from the State University of New York, Dean found differences between the fin bones of other ichthyosaurs - and concluded it was part of a previously undiscovered species.

"The recognition of this new species is very important for our understanding of ichthyosaur species diversity during the early Jurassic, especially from this time interval" added Dean.

"Mary worked tirelessly to bring the ichthyosaurs, among other fossils, to the attention of the scientific world.

"It is an honour to name a new species - but to name it after somebody who is intertwined with such an important role in helping to sculpt the science of palaeontology, especially in Britain, is something that I'm very proud of. In fact, one of the specimens in our study was even found by Mary herself."