Dorothy the T-Rex is a hit in Telford
You'd normally expect a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex to send the crowds fleeing - but this 6.5-metre long dinosaur has seen people flocking to Telford shopping centre.
Bosses say the animatronic dinosaur, which is called Dorothy, has been wowing audiences for two weeks. She is being credited with a 10 per cent increase in visitors to the town centre during the first week of the school holidays.
Dorothy's success has made bosses look to the future and the potential for a few more surprise visitors.
Five-year-old Dylan Ellerton came from Market Drayton for the chance to see his favourite dinosaur in the flesh.
As well as naming every single dinosaurs' scientific name for his aunt Bev, Dylan jumped at the chance to have his picture taken with Dorothy.
He said: "I like The Good Dinosaur and we have all the DVDs for Jurassic Park.
"It was a little bit scary at first. It looks real, but they make a statue of it, then they put the material over it and built it all up. We came a long way to see it, but I really liked it. All the dinosaurs were really good."
Dylan's aunt, Bev Ellerton said: "I think it's brilliant. It's definitely brought more people here.
"You get to come here, wonder around for free – it's great for the kids. Dylan has really enjoyed himself."
MORE: Dorothy the dinosaur boosts Telford Shopping Centre visitor numbers
The dinosaur's keeper – known as Posh Dave – said: "There's been an awful lot of excited children and an awful lot of scared children.
"Usually most make it through the gate then they hear the sounds and at that point they either get as close as they can or run off.
"It's been fantastic. I've really enjoyed it.
"I didn't believe that after the Jurassic Park films, dinosaurs would be so popular. Everybody loves a dinosaur."
Shopping centre manager Glynn Morrow said: "We believe it is vital to offer guests a variety of high quality entertainment and events to complement their shopping experience and this latest activity certainly seems to have captivated audiences, with visitors coming from right across the West Midlands. The excitement of children when Dorothy comes to life and lets out a mighty roar that echoes all the way down our mall has been such a thrill to witness.
"The performances have been enjoyed by thousands."
