Motorists stopped and stared with disbelief yesterday as a 35ft long dinosaur hurtled past their cars.

Motorists stopped and stared with disbelief yesterday as a 35ft long dinosaur hurtled past their cars.

But thankfully the Tyrannosaurus Rex with its ferocious teeth and piercing eyes was not from a prehistoric age, but a harmless fibreglass model being transported to a Norfolk zoo.

The large brown life-size dinosaur was made by specialists Roy Rowe and Sons, and was being transported from Hoveton to Banham Zoo near Attleborough where it is now on display.

It took at least six men and a crane to lift the model on to a low-loading lorry before it was transported around Norwich and out to Banham.

Martin Dupee, head of operations at Banham Zoo, said: “It was quite a difficult logistical operation as we had to manoeuvre it through gateways, and it took about eight or nine people to get it off the lorry when it got to the zoo.

“We had a few strange looks from motorists as it is not something you expect to see every day, but thankfully I didn't see a single crashed car.”

Mr Dupee said the dinosaur, which has yet to be named, has an identical sister at the Dinosaur Adventure Park at Lenwade. The dinosaur park, Banham Zoo and Africa Alive! at Kessingland near Lowestoft are currently running a promotion whereby visitors can visit all three parks for the price of two.

Mr Dupee added: “People watched with interest while the dinosaur was put into place. It looks absolutely fantastic and we are delighted with it.”

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