SEA DRAGONS which once ruled the North-East's prehistoric coast will be brought dramatically back to life at an event today.

Dinosaur expert Will Watts will be at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery, Aykley Heads, Durham, to talk about the weird and wonderful reptiles which once reigned supreme in the region's Jurassic seas.

Mr Watts is a dinosaur coast project officer and his patch covers the coastal resorts of Scarborough and Whitby.

His talk, from 2pm, will include the first look at a new discovery of a giant plesiosaur.

The event is aimed at anyone with an interest in the world of dinosaurs and is open to any age.

The talk, illustrated with slides, will last about 45 minutes and there will also be an opportunity to talk to Mr Watts afterwards.

Tickets costing £3.50, concessions £2.50 and season ticket holders £1.50 are available in advance from the DLI Museum or by telephoning 0191-384 2214.

Further dinosaur talks will be held on Saturdays, August 30 and September 6, to co-incide with Jurassic - the biggest dinosaur exhibition to be held in Durham.

The display includes full- size models, exhibitions of marine reptiles, including Yorkshire dinosaur footprints and an exhibition of work by the country's leading dinosaur artists.