A competition has been launched to find a name for Bolton Museum and Library Services’ famous dinosaur.
The Tuojiangosaurus (pronounced Too-yang-oh-sore-us) has been in storage for several months while the museum undergoes a major refurbishment.
Previously, the seven metre long replica was mounted on a platform at the top of the stairs on the first floor of the Le Mans Crescent building.
When the museum reopens later this year, the herbivore’s skeleton will take pride of place – suspended from the ceiling.
To celebrate the welcome return of the popular prehistoric attraction, the museum is appealing to members of the public to come up with a permanent name.
The dinosaur’s scientific name is Tuojiangosaurus multispinus, which means Tuo River Lizard with many spines. But museum bosses are looking for something friendlier and a bit easier to say.
The towering Tuojiangosaurus lived in China 150 million years ago in the Jurassic Period. It is very similar to the North American stegosaurus, with protective back plates and a spikey tail.
Participants can enter at any of Bolton’s libraries or by visiting the museum blog www.blamsblog.co.uk.
The competition closes on July 14, and the best suggestions will be presented to a selection panel. The winner will be announced on July 21 at a dinosaur event at Bolton Central Library.
Bolton Council’s Cabinet Member of Culture, Youth and Sport, Cllr John Byrne, said: “The dinosaur at Bolton Museum has been a well-loved feature by families for 18 years and it has been sorely missed during its time in storage.
“The museum has been undergoing a major refurbishment, with the exciting redesign of our Egyptology gallery – Bolton’s Egypt – at the heart of the project. We are excited to include Bolton’s dinosaur in our grand reopening plans and I’m sure its new location will be a hit with visitors.
“I’m looking forward to discovering its new name. It will be interesting to see whether entrants think it’s a male or female dinosaur and I think we can expect some quite creative suggestions.”
To keep up to date with what’s happening at Bolton Library and Museum Services, follow them on Twitter @BoltonLMS or like their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BoltonLibraryandMuseumServices/