THEY may be long extinct but dinosaur enthusiasts now have the opportunity to view a model of one of the best preserved T-Rex skulls in the world at a Witney art gallery.

The 65 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex specimen, named Tristan Otto, originated in Montana, USA, and was excavated in 2010.

A cast of the skull was donated to Cranford House School in Moulsford, near Wallingford, last year and is now available to view at the SOTA Gallery, in Langdale Gate, Witney.

One of the owners of the gallery, Jennifer Harrison, said: "The skull is amazing. When it came in it was just like 'wow'. It's a lot bigger than I expected.

"As soon as you see it you know that it's a T-Rex skull. Loads of children have come in to see it over half term and they absolutely love it - especially as they can touch it. A lot of them were blown away."

Gallery co-owner and sculptor Andrew Harrison made an oak pedestal for the skull to stand on. The artist visited Cranford House School to show pupils his work and help them create their own pieces, which are now on display alongside the skull.

Other artwork, including extra pieces by Mr Harrison, is also on display throughout the exhibition, which will run until March 3.