A life-sized cast of a dinosaur that has taken pride of place in the Natural History Museum's main hall is being retired after 109 years.

Dippy the Diplodocus the plaster skeleton which has enthralled children for generations is no longer deemed relevant to what's happening in the natural world today.

He will be succeeded in Hintze Hall by a blue whale. Measuring in at 83ft (25.2m) long, the real skeleton will be suspended from the ceiling to serve as a potent reminder of environmental destruction.

Following Dippy's retirement in 2017, he could be sent on a grand tour of the UK, as museum directors plan to preserve the dinosaur for as long as possible.

Sir Michael Dixon, who runs the Natural History Museum, said the change is part of a "decade of transformation" at the central London attraction.

"As the largest-known animal to have ever lived on Earth, the story of the blue whale reminds us of the scale of our responsibility to the planet," the director explained.

"Species and ecosystems are being destroyed faster than we can describe them or even understand their significance."

Dippy was originally installed in the Reptile Gallery in 1905 – and during the Blitz, he was dismantled and stored in the Natural History Museum's basement for protection.

However, his female replacement has lived at the museum for even longer – and was bought for the princely sum of £250 in 1891.

Sir Michael is exploring the possibility of scanning Dippy's plaster bones and creating a more resilient replica that could withstand the elements and assume pride of place in the museum's grounds.