The life of a famous fossil hunter is a step closer to the big screen.

The first of a new, two-part feature film about the life and work of Lyme Regis’ Mary Anning is almost complete.

Director Sharon Sheehan is putting the finishing touches to Mary Anning and the Dinosaur Hunters, which covers the fossil hunter’s childhood and leads up to her spectacular discovery of the ichthyosaur.

The film, labelled ‘the Poldark of Dorset,’ stars Jenny Agutter - of the Avengers, An American Werewolf in London and Call the Midwife - Katharine Hamilton and Tom Machell and was shot on location in Dorset.

A crowdfunding campaign helped the film come to fruition, and Ms Sheehan has thanked all who supported and donated.

Ms Sheehan said: “I had a successful outcome with Lyme Regis Town Council at the last meeting with a completion funding pledge and support from the local community and businesses, including Jon Oats Architects and LL Tours Lyme Regis. This has meant that principle photography of the first film is virtually complete, leaving only the edit and pick-up shots to finish the film.

“There will be a Lyme Regis gala charity screening for local charities.”

Ms Sheehan says £100,000 is required to complete the second film, covering Mary Anning’s adulthood and her discoveries of the plesiosaur and the pterodactyl.

“The second film of the biopic is at the funding stage and we hope to raise enough support to have this filmed and completed by the end of the year,” she added.

“The Natural History Museum has been extremely supportive of the film and we hope to have both films 'in the can' as soon as possible. The biopic feature films will be similar to the Elizabeth films (Elizabeth and Elizabeth the Golden Years.

"I am extremely grateful to the Lyme Regis Council for their insight and generosity in supporting a feature film about such an incredible local woman, and to the local businesses and the community who acted in, and assisted with, the film production.”