A PACK of dinosaurs has invaded a shopping centre in Bournemouth.

The life-size models arrived at Castlepoint Shopping Park on Saturday and will be on display until the end of the Easter holidays.

The park’s general manager, Peter Matthews, said he hopes the display, which includes a 20ft postosuchus, a giant raptor and a stegosaurus, will amuse youngsters visiting the park.

The exhibit also features triceratops, a hatching T-Rex egg and a velociraptor.

Mr Matthews said: “The idea was to do something that was educational as well as fun. When children come shopping with their mothers it’s not always much fun for them so we thought we would give them something to look at.”

He added: “Dinosaurs are the in-thing for children at the moment partly because a lot of primary schools are teaching about them.”

Speaking to the Daily Echo yesterday, Mr Matthews said he was delighted by the reaction from both parents and children.

“Despite the weather today the amount of children who have had their picture taken with the dinosaurs has been incredible. We’re calling it the dino selfie,” he said.

The shopping centre is holding a series of dinosaur-themed activities and workshops throughout the holidays.

As well as the five life-size models, a selection of baby dinosaurs will be on display as part of the fun dino hunt trail.

Other activities include dino craft workshops, where youngsters can make their own fossil or face mask, and interactive play sessions.

An animated velociraptor will stalk and scare shoppers on Saturday, April 19.

Managers at the park say the display is expected to attract more visitors following the success of films including Walking With Dinosaurs.

Mr Matthews added: “We will be the dino centre of the Earth, or certainly Bournemouth, and it should be a big hit for the kids.”

  • If you’ve been to see the dinosaurs, tweet your dino selfies to @Bournemouthecho.