It wasn't the sight visitors to Port Lympne Reserve today were expecting when they parked their cars.

What greeted them were 24 full sized dinosaurs moving into their new home.

The herd is the first of 103 of the park's new residents and arrived at the reserve near Hythe this morning.

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More species are due to arrive throughout the next few weeks including 'Dippy' - the affectionate name for the 16m tall diplodocus.

Visitors spoke of their excitement at the new arrivals with three-year-old Alfie Lambert, from Ashford, being the first to explore the exhibits.

VIDEO: The full size creatures have moved into their new home

Port Lympne managing director Bob O'Connor said he wants the exhibit to become one of the biggest dinosaur parks in Europe.

An official opening date has not been confirmed but the park says it will be in the spring once groundwork has taken place during the winter.

Mr O'Connor told KentOnline he hoped the dinosaurs would tie into telling their story about conservation and education.

He said: "We're trying to find synergy with the important conservation work that we do.

"Potentially animals could be extinct if we don't continue the work we're doing this could happen to the animals of today.

"It's telling a story and within our ethos of the conservation of animals.

"This could be the consequence if we don't get it right.

"People love dinosaurs but if we think of it from purely commercial terms, people love dinosaurs.

"But it's a really great way of engaging with people."

The dinosaurs will live in a new woodland area in different scenes while rangers will be on hand to explain what each one is and provide details of their life cycles.

Schools and children will be invited to learn about what happened to dinosaurs on Earth millions of years ago.

They will be in place for at least the next three years.

Mr O'Connor added: "By the summer we've got some more coming in and this will continue to grow.

"We've signed an agreement for three years and if it's successful we'll continue after that.

"We're really excited about this and giving everybody a chance to see dinosaurs in Kent."