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The Natural History Museum is moving its iconic diplodocus Dippy from its prime position in the entrance hall, and replacing it with a giant blue whale skeleton.

The 83-foot long cast is being retired in 2017 to make way for the 83ft whale skeleton, considered a more “relevant” reminder of “our responsibility to the planet”.

There are fears the plans could be a let-down for parents and children who want to see the famous dinosaur's frame.

Museum director Sir Michael Dixon admitted there were concerns the move, part of 10-year modernisation programme, could cause disappointment among visitors who cherish Dippy as one of the institution’s star attractions.

He said: “If I am honest, there has been concern about Dippy going. But a lot of people do not realise that it is not actually a real dinosaur, whereas the whale will be the real thing, which is important.

“We’re focusing on the real and authentic. Much loved as Dippy is, he’s a plaster cast replica of a diplodocus, and one of a number around the world. We think this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-imagine the main hall.”

Dippy arrived in 1905 after King Edward VI saw an illustration of the original skeleton, which was unearthed in Wyoming in 1898 and is now on display at a museum in Pittsburgh, and asked for a copy.

It has since become a favourite attraction for millions of people who visit the museum in South Kensington every year.

Sir Michael said: “This is not about saying Dippy is of no value, he’s an icon of the museum, but the new exhibit will allow us to tell a range of stories about the museum and its purpose.”

The skeleton, which contains 356 plaster cast bones, was constructed over a period of 18 months and shipped to England in 36 crates.

Originally installed in the Reptile Gallery, Dippy was taken apart and stored in the museum’s basement during the Blitz to avoid any damage.

In 1979 it was rebuilt and given pride of place in the central hall, becoming the museum’s most famous asset.

Natural History Museum's Dippy the Dinosaur 5 show all Natural History Museum's Dippy the Dinosaur 1/5 Long term resident Dippy the Diplodocus has inspired generations of schoolchildren at the London museum for 109 years (Picture: Natural History Museum/PA) PA 2/5 New plans A artist impression of how the skeleton of a blue whale will look suspended and "diving" from the ceiling of the Hintze Hall (Picture: Natural History Museum/PA) 3/5 New era The museum says the plan is to reengage visitors with “our responsibility to the planet” (Picture: Natural History Museum/PA) 4/5 Big deal The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever lived on Earth (Picture: Natural History Museum/PA) 5/5 All change Dippy the dinosaur in the museum's main entrance (Picture: Alex Segre/REX) 1/5 Long term resident Dippy the Diplodocus has inspired generations of schoolchildren at the London museum for 109 years (Picture: Natural History Museum/PA) PA 2/5 New plans A artist impression of how the skeleton of a blue whale will look suspended and "diving" from the ceiling of the Hintze Hall (Picture: Natural History Museum/PA) 3/5 New era The museum says the plan is to reengage visitors with “our responsibility to the planet” (Picture: Natural History Museum/PA) 4/5 Big deal The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever lived on Earth (Picture: Natural History Museum/PA) 5/5 All change Dippy the dinosaur in the museum's main entrance (Picture: Alex Segre/REX)

Dippy will remain in place until summer 2017 when the whale, previously the centrepiece of the Mammal Hall, will be suspended from the vaulted ceiling of the Hintze Hall.

The whale has been at the museum since 1981 after it beached itself in Wexford Harbour in Ireland and was bought for £250 by a local merchant.

Sir Michael said: “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.

“This makes it the perfect choice of specimen to welcome and capture the imagination of our visitors, as well as marking a major transformation of the Museum.”

Sir Michael said Dippy could end up as an additional exhibit in another of the museum’s galleries and there were plans to remould the bones in more durable material to go on national tour.