THEY are one of the most fearsome animals ever to stalk the earth.

Now the Tyrannosaurus Rex is to have its own exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland next year.

The 100m year history of the dinosaur species will be at the centre of the show which will open at the NMS in 2020.

The exhibition will feature rare fossil specimens, and cast skeletons including one of ‘Scotty’ - described as one of the largest and most complete T.Rex skeletons in the world - and models of feathered dinosaurs.

Scotty, a 66m year-old skeleton, was discovered in Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1994.

Dr Nick Fraser, keeper of natural science at National Museums Scotland said: "For any of us who are fascinated by dinosaurs, T. Rex is surely the most recognisable, whether in popular culture on on the front of your first dinosaur book or poster as a kid.

"I think there is a real sense of wonder that such a seemingly fantastic animal actually walked the earth. "Tyrannosaurs will show visitors not only the mighty scale of T.Rex, but also their fascinating family tree, including early Asian feathered tyrannosaurs which are some of the most exciting recent discoveries in dinosaur palaeontology."

It will be the first time the exhibition has been shown in the UK.

The exhibition has been created by the Australian Museum, and has toured internationally, being shown in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.

Kim McKay, director and chief executive of the Australian Museum, Sydney, said the public's interest in dinosaurs has never waned.

She added: "The Tyrannosaurs exhibition will not only take visitors on a remarkable journey to our earth’s ancient past, but will also provide a real sense of scientific enquiry and discovery from the latest breakthroughs and research programs."