Sir David Attenborough will explore the UK's prehistoric era and uncover the secrets of a "Giant Sea Monster" found on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.

The new TV documentary will follow David as he unearths the skull of a giant pliosaur, one of the most ferocious Jurassic predators.

It is believed that a new pliosaur discovery has been made near Lyme Regis in Dorset, however, the BBC refused to confirm the location.

It follows a number of visits to Dorset from the legendary broadcaster after he was seen filming in Weymouth in November and at Old Harrys Rocks for the filming of Wild Isles.

Fossil experts believe this pliosaur to be a completely new species, working at a secret location they set out on a perilous expedition to excavate the skull and uncover its secrets.

The enormous prehistoric marine reptile lived 150 million years ago among the dinosaurs.

Sir David said: “Pliosaurs were the biggest and most formidable hunters in the Jurassic seas, the marine equivalent, you might say of T. Rex.

"The skull of this one is, by itself, over two metres long and armed with massive fangs.

"Frustratingly, skulls, which can tell us most about an animal, are only too easily smashed before fossilisation but this one is virtually undamaged and promises to reveal all kinds of new details about these terrifying hunters that preyed on Lyme Regis’ better-known ichthyosaurs.”

David will join a team of top scientists and palaeontologists as they unlock clues about this apex predator - from understanding how it looked and behaved, to uncovering the strategies it used to hunt and kill its prey.

Mike Gunton, Executive Producer, said: “It’s wonderful to be back on location with David, his eyes absolutely lit up when we told him about this amazing find – he couldn’t wait to join the ‘dig’ and get a first look at the fossil bones for himself.”