AN EXCITING prehistoric find has been unearthed on private land in North Yorkshire.

The fossil of an Icthyosaur has lain under the Whitby plot for more than 185 million years and is said to be the most significant prehistoric discovery in the area in the last 140 years.

The 15-foot skeleton is that of a marine reptile from the Jurassic period and provides scientists with a missing link, enabling them to identify the type of Icthyosaur present on the Yorkshire Coast at the time.

Local amateur palaeontologist Brian Foster made the discovery while out walking and the site remained untouched until the current excavation started.

Leading the dig is Dr Phil Manning, of the Yorkshire Museum in York, which is currently hosting the major "Walking With Dinosaurs" exhibition.

Dr Manning said: "A find of this kind is a major breakthrough for palaeontology across the world. To make such a unique discovery helps us unlock the prehistoric past and means we will be rewriting some of the text books on the subject."

The BBC's Knowledge channel will film the dig so it can be included in an exclusive documentary being screened in October.

The Icthyosaur - which translated means "fish reptile" - was a graceful, predatory giant which ruled the Jurassic seas.

From its land-based origins it adapted well to underwater life and evolved to become an advanced creature before becoming extinct 90 million years ago.