FOSSIL hunters are being reminded that they must treat the Yorkshire coast with respect.

The areas around Whitby and coastal villages such as Robin Hood's Bay are rich in dinosaur fossils dating from the Jurassic period, between 208 and 157 million years ago.

Spectacular finds over the years have included plesiosaur, ichthyosaurs, marine crocodile and ammonites, snail-like relatives of the octopus, many of which are displayed at Whitby Museum.

However, decades of collecting has taken its toll because some people have thoughtlessly hacked fossils from the rock.

The plea for care comes from 27-year-old Alistair Bowden, who was appointed the first Yorkshire Dinosaur Coast Project Officer last year, in a joint initiative between Scarborough Borough Council, Whitby Museum, the North York Moors National Park and the Yorkshire Museum Council, with half the funding coming from the European Union.

He and his colleagues on the project arrange events to promote the heritage of the area.

Mr Bowden said: "We want to enthuse people and grab their interest, but it is also about understanding the importance of the fossils and respecting them.

"The problem is that the cliff sides are being eroded and as fossils are revealed some fossil collectors have destroyed them. We do not wish to be killjoys, but we are saying that if you find a fossil loose on the shore then by all means take it home and treasure it, but if it is still in the rock, then leave it in sight where people can enjoy it."

The project promotes a safety message because the cliffs become unstable as they erode. To find out more about events contact (01723) 367326 or visit www.dinocoast.org.uk