Town council provides £2,500 for a new video microscope

A new video microscope at Lyme Regis Museum is allowing visitors to get up close to fossils found on local shores.

The town council funded the technology for use in the learning space and fossil gallery, which are part of the new Mary Anning Wing.

The video microscope allows visitors to examine fossils they have found on the beach, as well as those in the museum’s collection, in great detail.

The technology is also used to study other miniature forms of life, allowing a greater understanding of the structure of past life.

The images from the microscope are then shown on a large screen for everyone to see.

The microscope will also be used by local schoolchildren, as part of the museum’s free education service for Lyme Regis schools.

Lyme Regis mayor, Cllr Michaela Ellis, tried out the microscope and presented a cheque for £2,500 to the museum’s director, David Tucker.

He said: “The video microscope kindly funded by the town council has proved incredibly popular.

“It allows people to get a really close look at fossils and gives our visitors the opportunity to operate the microscope themselves, enlarging and focussing in on the specimens.

“As you might expect, the fossilised poo specimen has proved very popular!

“Using the microscope, visitors are able to spot fish scales in the specimen, which lets you know what the creature that deposited it ate 200 million years ago.”

Cllr Ellis said: “This is a really useful piece of equipment, which the town council was pleased to fund.

“It will be of huge benefit to visitors and school groups, helping them to learn in greater detail about the fascinating world of fossils.

“The Mary Anning Wing is a great addition to our local museum, and the new video microscope adds to the appeal of the new learning space and fossil gallery.”

For more information about the museum, including opening times and events, visit www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk

* The new £1.5million Mary Anning Wing was opened in July, made possible thanks to a £798,000 National Lottery grant, and the hard work of fundraisers and volunteers.