Leeds Jurassic Trail returns - Children invited to invent-a-saurus in UK first

A competition has been launched today (March 6) by Leeds Jurassic Trail inviting any child aged seven to 14 to help design a new dinosaur – the Yorkshiresaurus – by describing or drawing it while using the county as inspiration for its creation.

A panel of judges will then choose the most creative which will be used by designers to create the final blueprint. Animatronic experts will then make the world’s first ever full size Yorkshiresaurus, ready for display in the city centre this summer.

The ground-breaking Leeds Jurassic Trail debuted in the city last summer and organiser LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District) has announced the life-size free dino experience will return again this summer – even bigger and longer – running Saturday, July 11, to Sunday, September 6.

They have joined forces with event partners, Child Friendly Leeds, on this project which is open to children living in the county of Yorkshire.

The winner will get the honour of activating the Yorkshiresaurus for the first time and also bag their school a free dino day experience as the trail will launch before the summer holidays, also allowing for more school trips to the city to see these giant animatronic creations.

Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive of LeedsBID, said: “Last year’s debut event was a roaring success. It brought thousands of visitors into the city centre, saw partners from public and private sector work together in a ground-breaking way and grabbed the attention of the public from Yorkshire and beyond.

"We are delighted to confirm a sequel this summer and wanted to go bigger, bolder and braver which is why we will for the first time ever create a Yorkshiresaurus. We want to tap into the ingenuity and wonder of children, whether they want to do a simple drawing or a few bullet points, and encourage those from around the region to enter this competition.”

Speaking on behalf of Child Friendly Leeds, Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said: “Leeds Jurassic Trail brought a sense of wonder and discovery to Leeds city centre last summer and that’s exactly what this new competition will be based on.

It’s not often that children get the chance to help design a dinosaur so we want them to add in all they love about Yorkshire and dinosaurs and see what they come up with. I personally can’t wait to see the result!”

To enter the competition, visit: leedsjurassictrail.co.uk