The realistic-looking pterodactyl kite was the idea of Sibyl Fine King of the Fine Family Foundation, a long-standing supporter of projects along the Jurassic Coast.

You will see from the photograph that the pterodactyl fits in well with the Jurassic scenery fulfilling Sybil Fine King’s vision.

She thought it would be wonderful for pterodactyls to fly once more over the famous Dorset and Devon coastline and so worked with designers to create and patent the unique design, and Jurassic Kites Ltd was born.

To begin with the kites were only available with local stockists but moving to direct mail order soon meant that pterodactyls were flying all over the UK.

The Dorset-based business is now celebrating further afield as its unique pterodactyl kite is being sold all over the UK and in Europe, Australia and North America.

Sibyl Fine King, co-director of Jurassic Kites Ltd, commented: “I’m thrilled to see pterodactyls flying so far and wide. It’s wonderful to hear from so many customers how much they enjoy our kite.  One of my favourite comments is from a kite festival participant, ‘Pterry’ stole the show! Well worth the money, highly recommended’.

“With each kite we also include information about the history of the dinosaurs and the Jurassic Coast which we hope will help promote our wonderful county across the globe.”

Pterodactyls were a type of pterosaur, a flying reptile that flew over the Jurassic Coast millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed the land. Famous Dorset fossil hunter Mary Anning discovered the fossilised remains of the first British pterosaur early in the 19th century.

Interest in the kite has grown and co-director Martin Cooke has secured distributors in Australia and France and a licence for stockists in the USA and Canada. Martin has encouraged customers to send in photos of their pterodactyls flying and the locations have been posted on a world map on the website. To see more than 70 customer photos of ‘pterodactyl sightings’ including in the Seychelles, over the Washington Monument in the USA and above The Pyramids in Egypt visit: https://www.jurassickites.co.uk/pterodactyl-sightings/

Co-Director of Jurassic Kites Ltd, Martin Cooke said: “It’s great to see our kite being sold across the globe, from dinosaur museums in the outback of Queensland, Australia to toy shops in states across the US. We want more people to experience the fun of flying a kite. Our pterodactyl is educational and encourages the whole family to get outdoors together.”

To find out more visit www.jurassickites.co.uk