THE footprint of a dinosaur that walked the earth 160 million years ago has been recovered from the region's coastline.

A team of 25 volunteers used a raft, a boat and a crane to salvage the fossil from the bottom of cliffs two miles north of Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

Experts believe the print was left by a carnivorous Megalosaurus - a relative of the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Engineers, district council geologists and experts from North East Yorkshire Geology Trust and Scarborough Sub Aqua Club recovered the 300kg sandstone block on Saturday.

The 2ft long footprint was loaded on to a raft, which was then towed into the harbour.

A crane provided by Malton firm Transcore lifted the print out of the water and into a trailer.

The fossil will be stored for six months to dry out. It will then take pride of place at the Rotunda Museum, in Scarborough, when it reopens in 2007 after refurbishment.

The print was found by local geologist John Hudson in December 2004 while he was taking a walk.

He said: "The recovery was quite an anxious time, but also exciting.

"The print was being damaged by the weather and by fresh water from the cliff, but it's still in very good condition."

Will Watts, the council's dinosaur coast project officer, said: "The day was a huge success. The footprint is now safe from the elements and will be a star exhibit at the Rotunda for all the public to see."