INTERNATIONAL: The fossilized remains of an ichthyosaur have been found in England's Midlands, the largest and most complete of its kind discovered in the UK, according to a news release issued by Anglian Water.

Ichthyosaurs were large marine reptiles, similar in shape to dolphins, which grew up to 25 meters in length.

The 10-metre long fossil was first uncovered in February 2021 in Rutland Water and is thought to be 180 million years old.

A conservationist at Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, Joe Davis, found the ichthyosaur during a routine draining of a lagoon island for re-landscaping.

Joe said that the find had been absolutely fascinating and a real career highlight. He added that it was great to learn so much from the discovery and to think that this amazing creature was once swimming in the seas above us.

Known as sea dragons due to their large eyes and teeth, Ichthyosaurs went extinct around 90 million years ago.