Millions of people are to come face-to-face with a dinosaur from the Jurassic period thanks to the generosity of a Dorset company.

For the first time, a large scale authentic dinosaur fossil has gone on display at a shopping centre in the UK.

Dating from the Upper Jurassic period, ‘Big Sara’ is an allosaurus measuring 10 metres in length and 3.5 metres in height.

She’s now on display at Westquay South, opposite Five Guys, in the heart of Southampton’s city centre after being loaned by the Richmond Group.

The Bournemouth-based company, headed by James Benamor, bought the fossil at auction.

Her arrival coincides with the opening of Jurassic World: Dominion, at Westquay’s Showcase Cinema de Lux this Friday, June 10.

With 70 per cent of its skeleton intact, Big Sara is one of the most complete allosaurus skeletons ever discovered.

For enthusiasts, the missing bones have been cast and reproduced in resin.

The fossil was discovered in 2015 on a steep hillside in the Morrison Formation in Wyoming.

Acknowledged as the most fertile source of dinosaur fossils in North America, it took more than two years to fully remove.

Big Sara would have roamed the earth around 150 million years ago.

Allosaurus means ‘different lizard’ because of its unique concave vertebrae, and they are believed to be a cousin of the T-Rex.

As a formidable carnivore, she would have been top of the food chain and ripped her prey apart with her killer claws.

Some palaeontologists believe the allosaurus was a social animal and hunted in packs.

Others believe individuals may have been aggressive toward each other and have a reputation for fighting

Big Sara has been loaned to Westquay shopping centre, initially for a two-year period.

James Benamor (left) with Laura Read, General Manager, Westquay, and Lee Peck, Founder and Director, Lee Peck Media.

James Benamor, Founder and CEO of the Richmond Group, said: “When we bought Big Sara our intention was to share it with as many people as possible.

“Whilst museums are fine, many children visit them maybe once a year if they are lucky.

“When we looked at where we could put Sara so that as many people as possible could see her as often as possible, Westquay was our first choice.

“My own family are regular shoppers here, and as the largest and most popular shopping centre closest to the Jurassic Coast, it was the right place for the apex predator of the Jurassic period.”

Palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax, who is based at the University of Manchester, said: “It’s a fine specimen – and it’s fantastic that it’s not locked away somewhere where no-one can see it.

“I applaud James and the Richmond Group for putting Big Sara on display in Westquay.

“Hopefully, it will inspire people to take an even greater interest in dinosaurs.”

Westquay has more than 18 million visitors annually, according to its owner, Hammerson.

Laura Read, General Manager of Westquay, said: “When we were offered Big Sara we jumped at the chance.

“We are all about providing visitors with a unique entertainment experience whether shopping, dining or taking in a movie so having a full-scale dinosaur fossil on display fits totally into our strategy.

“We anticipate great interest from grown-ups and children alike who will be very welcome to view Big Sara for themselves.

“Hopefully, she will provide everyone with a sense of wonder and excitement.”