Dinosaurs could return to Exmouth, the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, for the first time in 65 million years.

At least one, possibly more, life-sized dinosaur replicas - including perhaps a full-sized 18-foot-high T.rex - could be placed in The Strand or even leading up to the geoneedle at Orcombe Point.

The idea, from Exmouth’s Town Team, is part of an effort to ‘brand’ and showcase Exmouth’s unique position as the western gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It would also offer an invaluble educational resource for kids.

Town councillors recently visited Jollyroger, a warehouse in Bovey Tracey, full of the life-sized resin beasts.

At the full town council meeting, Councillor Alison Greenhalgh said: “The dinosaurs range from £40 to £3,000. There is one outside Crealy at the moment.

“We discussed if we should include only dinosaurs that existed on the Jurassic coastline, which were mainly flying dinosaurs like pterodactyls.

“But I think children would be pretty disappointed if they didn’t see one of the big dinosaurs like a T.rex.

“The idea is to generate a lot of interest in the Jurassic Coast through education and getting the children interested, and I think a lot of people would be interested in sponsoring a dinosaur.”

Mayor Bill Nash said: “Smaller ones could be placed in shop windows and larger ones leading up to the geoneedle.”

“Councillor Maddie Chapman said: “I think it’s a cracking idea to have dinosaurs in the town or up on the cliffs.”