Dippy the dinosaur’s replacement revealed ahead of visit to Norwich

The blue whale skeleton replacing Dippy the diplodocus ahead of his tour of the UK has been unveiled.

Dippy the dinosaur is visiting Norwich Cathedral in 2020. Pictured: The skull of the Diplodocus housed at the Natural History Museum, London. Picture: Trustees of the Natural History Museum - Credit: Trustees of the Natural History

The 126-year-old marine mammal exhibit at London's Natural History Museum is - unlike Dippy - a real skeleton, not a cast.

Named 'Hope' as a symbol of progress for the future, the whale will take pride of place in the building's Hintze Hall, welcoming visitors to the museum.

The tour that will bring the model of Dippy's bones to Norwich Cathedral is set to begin in 2018.

And the much-loved skeleton will be on show at Norwich Cathedral from July-October 2020.

When the 100-year-old, 22 metre long visitor was announced, Dean of Norwich, the Very Rev Jane Hedges, said: 'The presence of Dippy in Norwich will stimulate questions and debate'.

She added that the 'exciting' exhibition would allow Norfolk residents who can't travel to London to see the dinosaur skeleton model.

Read more: Your chance to see famous Dippy the diplodocus skeleton at Norwich Cathedral