SIR David Attenborough will speak at Lyme Regis museum during the Mary Anning weekend this year.

SIR David Attenborough will speak at Lyme Regis museum during the Mary Anning weekend this year.

The natural history film maker, and patron of the museum, will join other distinguished contributors - such as author Tracey Chevalier, professor Mike Benton of Bristol University, and Tom Sharpe, from the National Museum of Wales.

Mary Annin (1799 to 1847) is considered the greatest fossil-hunter the world has ever known, and the museum will be celebrating her life and work on October 23 and 24.

Mary Godwin, Lyme Regis Museum's curator, said: "We're absolutely delighted that Sir David, Tracy and Mike have agreed to participate in Mary Anning Weekend.

"Sir David will be giving a talk about pterodactyls and I know it will be a wonderful occasion. Our aim is to put on a really diverse weekend and give it a real 'wow' factor. Their support for the museum is really wonderful."

* A new exhibition, 'Mary and the Men of Science,' will be launched that weekend. The vent, which is being supported by the Royal Society, will include unique material from the Natural History Museum and the National Museum of Wales.

Activities will take place in the museum, Marine Theatre, on the beach, and around town.

For more information, call the museum on (01297) 443370.