A MUSEUM needs the help of young science enthusiasts to complete the reconstruction of a dinosaur skeleton.

Dippy, the Natural History Museum’s iconic 292-piece Diplodocus will soon be arriving at Dorset County Museum as part of his UK tour, supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation.

Transported in specially designed packaging crates, the reassembling of Dippy is a 'gigantorsaurus' task to say the least.

Opening to the public on February 10, Dippy will stay on display until May 8 2018 at which point he will leave and head off to Birmingham on the next stage of his national tour.

Tickets for the 'Dippy on Tour' exhibition will be available from midday on Sunday, but you'll need to act fast to secure your place.

Dippy is a herbivore and lived between 156 and 145 million years ago during the late Jurassic period.

The full skeleton cast in its displayed pose it 21.3 metres long, 4.3 metres wide and 4.25 metres high.

Museum director Jon Murden said: "Dippy's visit to Dorset is a once in a lifetime opportunity and only made possible by the generous support off the Garfield West Foundation, who, like the Natural History Museum, are hoping to inspire a new generation of budding scientists and naturalists."

Anyone who wants to help with the reconstruction should email competitions@dorsetcountymuseum.org with the subject heading 'Dippy on Tour', or send a postcard or letter with your name and return contact details to: Dippy On Tour, Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA.

The closing date for submissions for the competition is December 20 and the winner will need to be available on either February 8 or 9 2018 from 4pm and 8pm.