PREDATORY marine reptiles that swam the world's oceans 200 million years ago, huge Yorkshire hyaenas and the secrets of Roman burials will be among the subjects experts reveal details about at an event to highlight their research.

The free-entry Yorkshire Museum and Gardens European Researchers Night, on September 26, from 5pm to 8.30pm, will feature more than 40 activities, talks and the chance to see up close the objects and artefacts which the researchers have been studying.

Ancient reptile experts Dean Lomax, John Green and Johan Gren will talk about the museum’s Ichthyosaurs, including how they know what colour they were, and how they can still be found today, if you know where to look.

Rhian McLaughlin will reveal what life was like for those living in high society at the time of Richard III and the Middleham Jewel, while ancient coins found at Catterick will be on show with expert Dakota Bagley Sweet.

The York Observatory will be open to look at the night sky, the museum’s Cosmodome will be running, there will be a range of crafts to try and actors playing historical characters will be walking around the galleries to meet members of the public.

A York Museums Trust spokeswoman said: “This is a very rare chance to come and meet leading experts on everything from dinosaurs to Romans, medieval jewels to moths all in the same place for one night only."

The event is part European Researchers Night, which is being run in 300 cities across Europe.

For details, visit yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk