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A dinosaur footprint believed to be one of the biggest of its kind in the world has been discovered by a stunned tour guide.

The print, measuring nearly four feet wide, was made by a meat-eating predator in central Bolivia some 80 million years ago.

It was found around 40 miles outside the city of Sucre in the South American country by the guide earlier this month.

The print likely belonged to the abelisaurus, a biped dinosaur that once roamed South America, according to paleontologists.

(Image: REUTERS/David Mercado) (Image: REUTERS/David Mercado)

"This print is bigger than any other we have found to date in the area," Argentine paleontologist Sebastian Apesteguia told Reuters.

Mr Apesteguia, who is studying the find, added: "It is a record in size for carnivorous dinosaurs from the end of the Cretaceous period in South America."

(Image: REUTERS/David Mercado) (Image: REUTERS/David Mercado) (Image: AIZAR RALDES/AFP/Getty Images)

The print measures 1.2 metres wide - the equivalent of 3.93 feet.

The soft clay area near Sucre is well known for dinosaur tracks.

(Image: REUTERS/David Mercado) (Image: REUTERS/David Mercado)

Skeletal remains of the abelisaurus have also previously been found in the region.

The dinosaur, which had a rounded snout, a deep skull and relatively small teeth, is believed to have reached up to 30 feet in length.