This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
The Isle of Wight is to feature in a prime time TV programme focusing on Britain during prehistoric times.
‘Dinosaur Britain’ is a two part programme to be broadcast on ITV on Monday 31 August between 9pm and 10pm and on Tuesday 1 September from 8pm until 9pm.
The Isle of Wight will be part of the second programme on the Tuesday.
Film crews visited Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown where the focus of their attention were the skeletons of a Neovenator and a Mantellisaurus.
Both skeletons show signs of injuries, suggesting both dinosaurs were involved in vicious fights.
Presenter Ellie Harrison was shown various bones in the museum’s laboratory and looked at what the injuries may have been as a result of.
The programme will be using CGI graphics to show dinosaurs during pre-historic times.
Will make for fascinating viewing
Alex Peaker from the museum was involved in the filming. He said:
“The programme makers came here in June and carried out lots of filming and interviews.
“We were more than happy to assist. The stories behind the skeletons of the Neovanator and the Mantellisaurs will make for fascinating viewing.”
Councillor Ian Stephens, Executive member for tourism, culture and heritage, added:
“The Isle of Wight is well known as being the dinosaur-fossil capital of Britain and the programme will further enhance our reputation as one of the world’s best sites for pre-historic discoveries.
“I look forward to watching it and seeing what the experts have established from studying fossils in the museum.”
The ‘dinosaur capital of Britain’
Chief executive of Visit Isle of Wight, David Thornton, says the programme will benefit the Island’s image, adding:
“This new dinosaur documentary further enhances our reputation as the dinosaur capital of Britain which started in 2013 when the Natural History Museum in London awarded us that title.
“It continues with our special Dinosaur Isle app which allows visitors to be photographed while walking with dinosaurs on the Island.”
Dinosaur Britain blurb
ITV describe Dinosaur Britain as telling the amazing story of many of the dinosaurs that once roamed our country revealing how they hunted, what they ate and how they died from the evidence revealed from their bones.
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
