YOUNGSTERS are being urged to bring a fossil back to life in a competition.

The fossilised remains of a 200 million-year-old ichthyosaur - a giant fish lizard - were recently discovered during low tide on rocks at Huntcliffe, in Saltburn.

Now Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust are holding a competition for youngsters to bring the creature to life on paper.

For people who are not able to make their way across the rocks to see the creature at low tide, when most of the vertebrae can be seen, there is a photographic exhibition on display in Saltburn Woodland Centre.

The council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Councillor Sheelagh Clarke, said: "This is a marvellous opportunity for children to really let their imaginations go wild and, for those who can't make it down to the beach or the woodland centre, then here's a clue to help you on your way - it looks like a cross between a dolphin and a fish."

There are two categories in the competition, for under-tens and ten to 16-year-olds, with prizes for the winning entries.

The closing date is the end of September. Entries should be sent to the Saltburn Valley Woodland Centre, c/o Saltburn TIC, 3 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ.